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The Neuropsychological Syndrome of Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2019

Warren S. Brown  and
Lynn K. Paul
Warren S. Brown*
Affiliation:
Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Travis Research Institute, Pasadena, California
Lynn K. Paul
Affiliation:
California Institute of Technology, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Pasadena, California
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Warren S. Brown, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology 180 N. Oakland Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. E-mail: wsbrown@fuller.edu
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Abstract

Background: Agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC) involves congenital absence of all or part of the corpus callosum. Because the disorder can only be firmly diagnosed via neuroradiology, it has a short research history, and only recently has the cognitive syndrome become clear. Purpose: Our purpose is to review the primary deficits in AgCC that constitute the core syndrome. Conclusions: The cores syndrome includes: (1) reduced interhemispheric transfer of sensory-motor information; (2) reduced cognitive processing speed; and (3) deficits in complex reasoning and novel problem-solving. These domains do not appear to reflect different neuroanatomical abnormalities, but rather different domains of expression of reduced interhemispheric communication from callosal absence. Implications: These core deficits are expressed across various domains of cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. The impact of these deficits varies across development and may be moderated by individual factors such as co-occurrence of other neurodevelopmental conditions, general intellectual capacity, and environmental support. (JINS, 2019, 25, 324–330)

Keywords

Corpus callosumAgenesis of the corpus callosum
Type
Short Review
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , March 2019 , pp. 324 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2019 

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