Split-brain

Split-Brain Syndrome

Split-Brain Syndrome, also known as Callosal Syndrome, is a neurological condition that arises when the corpus callosum, the major structure connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, is severed or damaged. This disconnection syndrome results in a range of symptoms stemming from the interruption of communication between the brain's two hemispheres. The procedure to sever the corpus callosum, known as corpus callosotomy, is typically undertaken as a last-resort treatment for refractory epilepsy, aiming to reduce the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures.

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The corpus callosum of the human brain, connecting the two hemispheres.

Causes

Split-Brain Syndrome can result from:

• Surgical intervention, specifically corpus callosotomy, to treat severe epilepsy.
• Congenital abnormalities or absence of the corpus callosum (agenesis of the corpus callosum).
• Traumatic brain injuries or conditions leading to the deterioration of the corpus callosum.

Corpus Callosotomy

Corpus callosotomy involves the partial or complete transection of the corpus callosum. This surgical procedure is considered when epilepsy cannot be controlled with medication. Initially, surgeons may opt for a partial callosotomy; if unsuccessful, a complete callosotomy might be performed to further mitigate the risks associated with severe seizures.

Symptoms and Effects

Patients with Split-Brain Syndrome may experience:

• Difficulty in coordinating actions that require the integration of both hemispheres, such as holding an object in one hand and identifying it with the other.
• Problems with tasks that require the processing of information across both hemispheres.
• In some cases, alterations in behavior and personality.

Treatment of Epilepsy Prior to Surgery

Before considering callosotomy, epilepsy is typically managed through pharmaceutical treatments. Antiepileptic drugs are prescribed to control seizures. Only when these treatments fail to provide adequate control, and the patient's quality of life is significantly affected, is surgical intervention considered.

Research and Case Studies

Research into split-brain syndrome has provided valuable insights into the functional specialization of the brain's hemispheres. Studies involving patients who have undergone callosotomy have highlighted the independent functioning of the two hemispheres in certain cognitive and perceptual tasks.

See Also

• Epilepsy
• Corpus Callosum
• Neurosurgery
• Cognitive Neuroscience

References

• Gazzaniga, M.S. (1967). "The Split Brain in Man." Scientific American.
• Sperry, R.W., Gazzaniga, M.S., & Bogen, J.E. (1969). "Interhemispheric Relationships: The Neocortical Commissures; Syndromes of Hemisphere Disconnection." In P.J. Vinken & G.W. Bruyn (Eds.), Handbook of Clinical Neurology.

External Links

• National Institutes of Health: The Role of the Corpus Callosum in Seizure Propagation
• Epilepsy Foundation: Corpus Callosotomy

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