Callosal Syndromes

The corpus callosum is the main white matter tract between the two cerebral hemispheres and it connects both homolog and heterotopic regions in both hemispheres. The approximately 200 million axons are neatly organized from front to back with respect to which areas are connected. There are many causes for a dysfunctional corpus callosum, ranging from fetal development (agenesis) to dementia, and from stroke and head trauma to psychiatric conditions. Surgical removal of the corpus callosum for the alleviation of severe epilepsy has gained some notoriety as the “split-brain phenomenon”. Here, we summarize the different symptoms and/or syndromes that have been described in the literature. The nature of the functional impairments appears to be determined by which part(s) of the corpus callosum have been damaged, the type of damage, and the nature and localization of additional damage to the brain.