Disconnection Syndrome

Definition

Pattern of behavioral symptoms resulting from a disruption of fiber connections between different regions of the brain.

Current Knowledge

A basic assumption in neuroanatomy is that different parts of the central nervous system subserve different functions, and if a particular region of the brain is damaged, then behaviors dependent upon that area will be disrupted. However, virtually all behavior is the result of integrated responses involving multiple areas of the brain (distributed system), and this requires that different areas of the brain communicate with one another. The exact nature of this communication is unclear, but it is known that different parts of the central nervous system interact via both short and long axonal pathways. If pathways critical for an integrated response are compromised causing relevant functional areas to be disconnected, then behaviors dependent on such interactions will be disrupted.

While any brain lesion that affects white matter tracts...