Callosal dysfunction in schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder.

Studies of corpus callosum dysfunction in schizophrenia have typically relied on measures that reveal impairment in commissurotomy patients, but measures that distinguish people with callosal agenesis may be more appropriate. Four of these indexes were included in the present study. Tests of associated movements, cross-localization of touch, interocular transfer of spiral aftereffect, and transfer of blind formboard learning were administered to 18 chronic schizophrenics, 19 schizo-affectives, and 20 normal volunteers. Both schizophrenics and schizo-affectives were impaired on all measures except transfer of blind formboard learning. Schizophrenics also made significantly more associated movements than schizo-affectives and exhibited a different pattern of cross-localization deficit. These results support the hypothesis of developmental callosal dysfunction in schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder, although the nature of this dysfunction differs in part from that exhibited by acallosals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)