Brians Lacking Connections Function Normally

Brains Lacking Connections Function Normally link
October 20, 2011

The fMRI on the left is a normal healthy brain.

The scan on the right is the one with AgCC 

and as you can see both scans look practically identical.

People born without the corpus callosum (the main bundle of nerves connections the two hemispheres of the brain) are diagnosed with agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC). Its been found that those with AgCC have remarkably normal communications across the gap of the two halves of the brain.

The resting state network in fMRIs look essentially the same in those with normal brains and those with AgCC.

Those with AgCC are missing approximately 20 million connections that are normally there.

AAbout one third of people with AgCC have autism. These findings of re-networking the brain may give them insights on the brains of autistic people.




You may have heard of the studies done in the 1960s by Roger Sperry called the Split-Brain experiments. Essentially what happened was that the patients were experiencing some pretty brutal seizures and the only way to try and stop them was to sever the corpus callosum. Upon doing so they came across a lot of unexpected results. Through many experiments with these patients they found out that the two hemispheres were no longer able to communicate with one another and thus gave birth to the whole idea that each hemisphere has its main objectives (like right hemisphere is more artsy while the left is more analytical and logical). They also found that the left hemisphere tends to make up answers to questions when it does not know the direct answer and instead of admitting as much makes up a logical explanation.  you can find more at this link. I just found the correlation really fascinating because up until now you always hear about the differences and what would happen if the corpus callosum was ever severed...but who knew the brain was SO plastic that if born without one it would be able to manage just fine?! It would be interesting to see at what age if ever the corpus callosum would have to be removed/severed that the individual could hope to one day function properly again. A new study for a different day I suppose, but it sure is fascinating!