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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders pp 1–5Cite as

Corpus Callosum Abnormalities in Autism

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Definition

Corpus callosum (CC) abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) generally refer to reductions in the midsagittal size, volume, or integrity of the CC in individuals affected by this disorder.

Historical Background

Over the last few decades, case reports have been published supporting an association between partial or complete agenesis or other abnormalities of the CC and social deficits. While not all individuals with agenesis of the corpus callosum meet full DSM criteria for autism spectrum disorder, they often show behavioral, cognitive, and functional patterns reminiscent of autism, particularly individuals with complete agenesis (Paul et al. 2007).

The first careful examination of the CC in autism using magnetic resonance imaging was published by Gaffney et al. (1987). This study did not identify significant differences in midsagittal CC area. However, the lack of significant findings was likely due to a small sample size and the limitation of the early...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    John P. Hegarty & Antonio Y. Hardan

  2. Autism Speaks, New York, NY, USA

    Thomas W. Frazier

  3. Cleveland Clinic Children’s, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Thomas W. Frazier

Authors
  1. John P. Hegarty
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  2. Antonio Y. Hardan
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  3. Thomas W. Frazier
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Correspondence to John P. Hegarty .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Hegarty, J.P., Hardan, A.Y., Frazier, T.W. (2018). Corpus Callosum Abnormalities in Autism. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1913-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1913-3

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