Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.17.1.5
THE ACETYLCHOLINE THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF SCHIZOPHRENIA – THE EXPERIENCE OF MARIO FIAMBERTI IN THE HOSPITAL OF VARESE (1937)
Giuseppe Armocida
; Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
Marta Licata
; Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
Ilaria Gorini
; Centre of Research in Osteoarchaeology and Paleopathology, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
Rosagemma Ciliberti
; Department of Sciences of Health, Bioethics and Legal Medicine Section, University of Genova, Italy.
Abstract
In the first half of the 20th century, in most European countries, it was thought that cholinesterase
and other drugs that counteract acetylcholine should reduce the manifestations of schizophrenia.
In 1937, Fiamberti (1894–1970) introduced the transorbital method of lobotomy which
established the use of acetylcholine shock treatment for curing the disturbances of schizophrenia.
Accepting the idea that the psychic alterations of schizophrenia were caused by a pathological
interruption of nerve conduction at a presumably cortical level, Fiamberti thought he could
apply this to the clinical field using the properties of acetylcholine, an acetic ester of choline.
Here, we examined, in detail, the contribution of Mario Fiamberti to acetylcholine therapy.
Keywords
acetylcholine therapy; Fiamberti method; acetylcholine shock; schizophrenia and interpretative hypothesis; acetylcholine deficiency; schizophrenia
Hrčak ID:
223255
URI
Publication date:
1.7.2019.
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