Developmental abnormalities of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia
V. W. Swayze 2nd, N. C. Andreasen, J. C. Ehrhardt, W. T. Yuh, R. J. Alliger and G. A. Cohen
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate neuroanatomical and
neuropathologic abnormalities in a consecutive series of 140 patients with
schizophrenia for comparison with normal controls. Partial agenesis of the
corpus callosum, a rare neurodevelopmental abnormality, was found in two
patients, one of whom also had a callosal lipoma. Evidence is presented
suggesting that this finding represents an increased prevalence of partial
agenesis in schizophrenia. The corpus callosum develops embryologically in
intimate relationship to the hippocampal formation, fornix, septum
pellucidum, and cingulate gyrus. In individuals with callosal agenesis,
abnormalities also occur in the development of these limbic structures.
Recent neuropathologic studies have suggested the occurrence of abnormal
neurogenesis in the hippocampal formation and in the cingulate gyrus in
schizophrenic patients. An increased prevalence of callosal agenesis and
its related limbic abnormalities would further support investigation into
neurodevelopmental abnormalities of these anatomical regions in
schizophrenia.
