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A Modern Picture of the Functional Morphology of the Corpus Callosum and Related Pathologies

Authors:
Nataliya Valentinovna Zharova at Sechenov University
Nataliya Valentinovna Zharova
Khava Dzeygova at Sechenov University
Khava Dzeygova
Tatyana A. Isakova
Tatyana A. Isakova
Tatyana A. Isakova
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Nikolay A. Zharov
Nikolay A. Zharov
Nikolay A. Zharov
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Abstract and Figures

Purpose of Review To review the functional morphology of the corpus callosum. The corpus callosum is the largest connection between the cerebral hemispheres. The left hemisphere is responsible for abstract logical thinking in right-handers, while the right hemisphere is responsible for figurative and artistic information processing (this view is too schematic and not quite true, although it has exerted a considerable influence on the media and common sense knowledge). This article presents the evolution of views on the functional role of the corpus callosum and its formation at various stages of ontogenesis. It also discusses anomalies and disorders of interhemispheric interactions that are usually mediated by this commissure. Recent Findings The age and anatomical features of the corpus callosum require special attention. The article emphasizes the necessity of multidirectional studies of the corpus callosum. Summary Information on the clinical and anatomical characteristics of the corpus callosum will be valuable not only for morphologists but also for neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, speech pathologists, etc. This will provide a broader perspective on many topical issues in neurology and psychiatry.
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Vol.:(0123456789)
Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports (2025) 12:9
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40473-025-00297-y
HOT TOPIC
A Modern Picture oftheFunctional Morphology oftheCorpus
Callosum andRelated Pathologies
NataliyaV.Zharova1 · KhavaM.Dzeygova1 · TatyanaA.Isakova1 · NikolayA.Zharov2 ·
LiliyaV.Gavryushova3 · YuryO.Zharikov1 · OlgaL.Polyakova1 · VladimirN.Nikolenko1 ·
AndréPontes‑Silva4 · TatianaS.Zharikova1
Published online: 7 February 2025
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025, corrected publication 2025
Abstract
Purpose of Review To review the functional morphology of the corpus callosum. The corpus callosum is the largest connec-
tion between the cerebral hemispheres. The left hemisphere is responsible for abstract logical thinking in right-handers, while
the right hemisphere is responsible for figurative and artistic information processing (this view is too schematic and not quite
true, although it has exerted a considerable influence on the media and common sense knowledge). This article presents the
evolution of views on the functional role of the corpus callosum and its formation at various stages of ontogenesis. It also
discusses anomalies and disorders of interhemispheric interactions that are usually mediated by this commissure.
Recent Findings The age and anatomical features of the corpus callosum require special attention. The article emphasizes
the necessity of multidirectional studies of the corpus callosum.
Summary Information on the clinical and anatomical characteristics of the corpus callosum will be valuable not only for
morphologists but also for neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, speech pathologists, etc. This will provide a broader
perspective on many topical issues in neurology and psychiatry.
Keywords Neurology· Anatomy and histology· Sex characteristics· Abnormalities· Brain
* André Pontes-Silva
contato.andrepsilva@gmail.com
Nataliya V. Zharova
zharova_n@staff.sechenov.ru
Khava M. Dzeygova
dzeygova_k_m@student.sechenov.ru
Tatyana A. Isakova
tanisa-211@mail.ru
Nikolay A. Zharov
nikolya-zharov@list.ru
Liliya V. Gavryushova
gavryushova.liliya@yandex.ru
Yury O. Zharikov
dr_zharikov@mail.ru
Olga L. Polyakova
polyakova.olga.00@mail.ru
Vladimir N. Nikolenko
vn.nikolenko@yandex.ru
Tatiana S. Zharikova
dr_zharikova@mail.ru
1 I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University
(Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
2 Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution Russian
University ofMedicine oftheMinistry ofHealth
oftheRussian Federation, Moscow, Russia
3 Saratov State Medical University Named After
V. I. Razumovsky, Saratov, Russia
4 Postgraduate Program inPhysical Therapy, Department
ofPhysical Therapy, Universidade Federal de São Carlos,
Rodovia Washington Luís – Km 235, SãoCarlos(SP), Brasil
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
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Brain plasticity following corpus callosum agenesis or loss: a review of the Probst bundles
Article
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  • Nov 2023
The corpus callosum is the largest axonal tract in the human brain, connecting the left and right cortical hemipheres. This structure is affected in myriad human neurodevelopmental disorders, and can be entirely absent as a result of congenital or surgical causes. The age when callosal loss occurs, for example via surgical section in cases of refractory epilepsy, correlates with resulting brain morphology and neuropsychological outcomes, whereby an earlier loss generally produces relatively improved interhemispheric connectivity compared to a loss in adulthood (known as the “Sperry’s paradox”). However, the mechanisms behind these age-dependent differences remain unclear. Perhaps the best documented and most striking of the plastic changes that occur due to developmental, but not adult, callosal loss is the formation of large, bilateral, longitudinal ectopic tracts termed Probst bundles. Despite over 100 years of research into these ectopic tracts, which are the largest and best described stereotypical ectopic brain tracts in humans, much remains unclear about them. Here, we review the anatomy of the Probst bundles, along with evidence for their faciliatory or detrimental function, the required conditions for their formation, patterns of etiology, and mechanisms of development. We provide hypotheses for many of the remaining mysteries of the Probst bundles, including their possible relationship to preserved interhemispheric communication following corpus callosum absence. Future research into naturally occurring plastic tracts such as Probst bundles will help to inform the general rules governing axon plasticity and disorders of brain miswiring.
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Corpus Callosotomy for Controlling Epileptic Spasms: A Proposal for Surgical Selection
Article
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In 1940, van Wagenen and Herren first proposed the corpus callosotomy (CC) as a surgical procedure for epilepsy. CC has been mainly used to treat drop attacks, which are classified as generalized tonic or atonic seizures. Epileptic spasms (ESs) are a type of epileptic seizure characterized as brief muscle contractions with ictal polyphasic slow waves on an electroencephalogram and a main feature of West syndrome. Resection surgeries, including frontal/posterior disconnections and hemispherotomy, have been established for the treatment of medically intractable ES in patients with unilaterally localized epileptogenic regions. However, CC has also been adopted for ES treatment, with studies involving CC to treat ES having increased since 2010. In those studies, patients without lesions observed on magnetic resonance imaging or equally bilateral lesions predominated, in contrast to studies on resection surgeries. Here, we present a review of relevant literature concerning CC and relevant adaptations. We discuss history and adaptations of CC, and patient selection for epilepsy surgeries due to medically intractable ES, and compared resection surgeries with CC. We propose a surgical selection flow involving resection surgery or CC as first-line treatment for patients with ES who have been assessed as suitable candidates for surgery.
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Hypoplasia of the Corpus Callosum: A Single Center Experience and a Concise Literature Review
Article
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  • Feb 2020
Aim: Corpus callosum hypoplasia is described as a fully formed corpus callosum with reduced thickness. Our purpose is to evaluate the current knowledge about this anomaly including it’s effect on the neurodevelopmental outcome and to report our single center experience. Methods: PubMed, Medline and reference lists were searched using combinations of these terms: “Hypoplasia of corpus callosum and prenatal diagnosis” and “neurodevelopmental outcome”. Results: Eleven studies were included, with a final population of 48 patients (45 cases from literature plus 3 of our own cases). Hypoplasia of the corpus callosum was detected by ultrasound scan alone in 77% of cases: magnetic resonance confirmed the ultrasound suspicion in the remaining 23% of cases. Isolated form was detected in 31% cases. Adverse fetal outcomes occurred in 62% of cases, while 38% of cases were born alive. The neurodevelopmental outcome was found to be normal in 33% of cases. Conclusion: Antenatal detection of corpus callosum hypoplasia remains challenging. Counseling is difficult because neurodevelopmental outcomes are variable.
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The splenium of the corpus callosum: embryology, anatomy, function and imaging with pathophysiological hypothesis
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2020
  • NEURORADIOLOGY
Background and purposeThe splenium of the corpus callosum is the most posterior part of the corpus callosum. Its embryological development, anatomy, vascularization, function, imaging of pathology, possible pathophysiological mechanisms by which pathology may develop and the clinical consequences are discussed.MethodsA literature-based description is provided on development, anatomy and function. MR and CT images are used to demonstrate pathology. The majority of pathology, known to affect the splenium, and the clinical effects are described in three subsections: (A) limited to the splenium, with elaboration on pathophysiology of reversible splenial lesions, (B) pathology in the cerebral white matter extending into or deriving from the splenium, with special emphasis on tumors, and (C) splenial involvement in generalized conditions affecting the entire brain, with a hypothesis for pathophysiological mechanisms for the different diseases.ResultsThe development of the splenium is preceded by the formation of the hippocampal commissure. It is bordered by the falx and the tentorium and is perfused by the anterior and posterior circulation. It contains different caliber axonal fibers and the most compact area of callosal glial cells. These findings may explain the affinity of specific forms of pathology for this region. The fibers interconnect the temporal and occipital regions of both hemispheres reciprocally and are important in language, visuospatial information transfer and behavior. Acquired pathology may lead to changes in consciousness.Conclusion The development, location, fiber composition and vascularization of the splenium make it vulnerable to specific pathological processes. It appears to play an important role in consciousness.
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Children with corpus callosum anomalies: clinical characteristics and developmental outcomes
Article
  • Apr 2023
Introduction: Corpus callosum abnormalities are complex, aetiologically diverse, and clinically heterogeneous conditions. Counselling parents regarding their causes and associated syndromes, and predicting the neurodevelopmental and seizure risk prognosis, is challenging. Material and methods: We describe the clinical characteristics, associated anomalies, and neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with agenesis of corpus callosum (ACC). Fifty-one neonates with ACC/hypoplasia of the corpus callosum were identified over a 17-year period, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Patients were classified into two groups depending on the presence or absence of associated abnormalities. The first group (17 patients, 33.4%) presented with isolated callosal anomalies. The second group included 34 patients (66.6%) with associated cerebral and extracerebral anomalies. We achieved an identifiable genetic aetiology in 23.5% of our cohort. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 28 patients (55%), and of these 39.3% had additional brain anomalies. During the study period, five patients died early in the neonatal period and four were lost to follow up. Of the 42 followed patients, 13 (31%) showed normal neurodevelopment, 13 (31%) showed mild delay, and 16 (38%) had a severe delay. Fifteen (35.7%) had epilepsy. Conclusions and clinical implications: We have confirmed that callosal defects are frequently accompanied by brain and somatic anomalies. Additional abnormalities were shown to be significantly associated with developmental delay and increased risk of epilepsy. We have highlighted essential clinical features that may provide diagnostic clues to physicians and we have given examples of underlying genetic disorders. We have provided recommendations about extended neuroimaging diagnostics and widespread genetic testing that may impact upon daily clinical practice. Paediatric neurologists may therefore use our findings to help base their decisions regarding this matter.
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Age-related changes in the area of the human corpus callosum
Article
  • Jan 2022
Objective: to carry out a comparative analysis of the area of the corpus callosum in men and women in adolescence, old age, and old age according to magnetic resonance imaging data. Material and methods. The results of magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain of 138 patients (72 men and 66 women) were analyzed. The entire study material was divided into three groups. The first group included 44 adolescents (21 men and 23 women aged 16-21 years); the second group included 50 elderly people (27 men and 23 women aged 56-74 years); the third group included 44 seniors (24 men and 20 women aged 75-88 years). We determined the area of the corpus callosum in the sagittal projection along the midline. Results. The analysis of the results of the study revealed a tendency for the prevalence of cerebellar area parameters in boys and girls in comparison to the elderly and senile age representatives (p>0.05). There was a tendency for prevalence of cerebral body area parameters in elderly subjects over elderly ones (p>0.05). In all age groups there was a tendency for superiority of cerebral body area parameters in men compared to women (p>0.05). Conclusion. The obtained results of the in vivo comparative analysis of the area of the corpus callosum in humans in adolescence, old age and senile age extend the scientific knowledge of its age-specific features. Thus, these data can serve as a benchmark of age-related anatomical norm in various instrumental examinations, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, and provide a foundation for further clinical research.
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Sex and sensitive period differences in potential effects of maltreatment on axial versus radial diffusivity in the corpus callosum
Article
  • Jan 2022
Corpus callosum (CC) abnormalities have been observed in several psychiatric disorders. Maltreatment has also been associated with marked differences in CC anatomy and microstructure, though rarely controlled for in psychiatric neuroimaging studies. The aim of this study was to identify type and timing of maltreatment associated with alterations in CC microstructure and to ascertain if they differ by sex. T1 and diffusion-weighted MRIs were obtained from 345 (135 M/210 F) healthy 18–25-year-olds. The Maltreatment and Abuse Chronology of Exposure scale provided retrospective data on exposure to ten types of maltreatment across each year of childhood. AI predictive analytics were used to identify the most significant type and time risk factors. The most striking maltreatment-associated alterations in males were in axial diffusivity and were most specifically associated with exposure to emotional abuse or neglect during segment-specific sensitive periods. In contrast, maltreatment was associated with marked alteration in radial diffusivity and fractional anisotropy in females and was most specifically associated with early physical neglect during one common sensitive period involving all segments except the splenium. Overall sex differences, controlling for maltreatment, brain size, and sociodemographic factors were limited to the genu with greater fractional anisotropy in males and radial diffusivity in females. These findings suggest that maltreatment may target myelinization in females and axonal development in males and that these sex differences need to be taken into account in studies seeking to delineate the contribution of CC abnormalities and interhemispheric communication to psychiatric disorders.
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Corpus Callosum and Its Connections: A Fiber Dissection Study
Article
  • May 2021
Objective We performed a fine white fiber dissection to demonstrate the extensive connections of the corpus callosum. Material and Methods Three formalin fixed frozen cadaveric human brain specimens were dissected using Klingler’s technique. On one half of each hemisphere the superior connections of the corpus callosum were dissected and in the other half the inferior connections of the corpus callosum were dissected. Results The mean length of the corpus callosum from the rostrum to the splenium was 7.8 cm. The fibers of the corpus callosum were classified as superior/dorsal radiations, inferior/ventral radiations, anterior radiations and posterior radiations. The entire transverse length of the dorsal callosal radiation from one hemisphere to the other was 8.1 cm. For anterior interhemipheric approaches a lesion in the anterior part of the body not extending beyond 3.5 cm from the genu was found to be safe with regards to crossing motor fibers. Conclusion The corpus callosum was found to have intricate connections with all the lobes of the cerebral hemispheres including the insular region and the limbic and paralimbic areas. Based on the course and traverse of the callosal fibers a transverse incision in the corpus callosum can be preferred when performing a callosotomy to access intraventricular lesions as this splits the callosal fibers instead of transecting them. The analysis of course of the callosal radiations enhances understanding of the growth pattern of primary corpus callosal gliomas and to design a safe surgical strategy.
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Neuropsychological functioning in dysgenesis of the corpus callosum with colpocephaly
Article
  • Mar 2021
Dysgenesis of the corpus callosum is a rare developmental abnormality in brain structure that is associated with changes in physical appearance, as well as behavioral and cognitive consequences. A relatively commonly co-occurring structural abnormality with callosal dysgenesis is colpocephaly, characterized by enlargement of the posterior lateral ventricles and reductions in posterior brain volume. Although some case studies of individuals with this combination of structural malformations exist, they do not often report results of neuropsychological evaluation. Furthermore, those that do contain neuropsychological data may be of limited generalizability due to unique patient characteristics. The current manuscript overcomes these limitations by presenting the case of a 55-year-old male with callosal dysgenesis and colpocephaly identified in adulthood. The paper includes a full profile of his performance on a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery with discussion of differential diagnosis and treatment planning. Findings indicated low average intellectual abilities with deficits in processing speed, executive functions, and social cognition, consistent with expectations based on callosal dysgenesis. One surprising finding was that despite the significant posterior involvement of colpocephaly, visuospatial skills were a relative strength. The manuscript provides a clear characterization of callosal dysgenesis with colpocephaly to facilitate future clinical comparisons and set the stage for future research on this rare neuromorphological presentation.
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The “split brain” and Roger Wolcott Sperry (1913–1994)
Article
  • Apr 2019
  • REV NEUROL-FRANCE
The concepts of cerebral localization were established in the early 19th century. From these arose the idea that the dominant (usually left) hemisphere mainly subserved functions of cognition and language. The “relatively retarded right hemisphere” by contrast was mute, agraphic, apraxic, and lacking generally in higher cognitive function. This essay sketches the import of the work of Sperry and colleagues on patients subjected to callosal section eg., “split brain”. They showed that the minor hemisphere possessed considerable capacity for cognitive understanding and language. His Nobel prize-winning “Split-Brain Experiments”confirmed the role of the corpus callosum in interhemispheric transfer of information.
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