photo by:
rolands.lakis What is Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum?
Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is a birth defect in which the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain (the corpus callosum) is partially or completely absent. ACC can occur as an isolated condition or in combination with other cerebral abnormalities, including Arnold-Chiari malformation, Dandy-Walker syndrome, Andermann syndrome, schizencephaly (clefts or deep divisions in brain tissue), and holoprosencephaly (failure of the forebrain to divide into lobes.) Girls may have a gender-specific condition called Aicardi's syndrome, which causes severe mental retardation, seizures, abnormalities in the vertebra of the spine, and lesions on the retina of the eye. ACC can also be associated with malformations in other parts of the body, such as midline facial defects. The effects of the disorder range from subtle or mild to severe, depending on associated brain abnormalities. Intelligence may be normal with mild compromise of skills requiring matching of visual patterns. But children with the most severe brain malformations may have intellectual retardation, seizures, hydrocephalus, and spasticity.
-
1
- 2
Reprinted with the permission of the National Institute of Mental Health. © 2008 NIMH.
Ask a Question
Have questions about this article or topic? AskToday on Education.com
HOME COOKING
10 Ways to Spice Up Your Barbecue
BOOK PICKS
Summer Reading
CELEBRATION
Happy Graduation
Popular Articles
- 20 Great Graduation Quotes
- Examining Possible Causes of ADHD
- Can Inventiveness Be Taught?
- What Do Test Scores Really Say About a School?
- Unraveling the Mystery of the Allergy Epidemic
- Great Gifts for Middle School Grads
- 9 Ways to Encourage Early Literacy
- Is High-Stakes Testing Cheating Your Kid?
- Ten Great High School Graduation Gifts
- Picky Eaters: Tips for Tackling and Myths Debunked
Add your own comment