A proposed neurophysiological basis of alexithymia.
The possibility that alexithymia respresents a symptom of subtle brain dysfunction is discussed. Several lines of research have shown that emotional thought, behavior and, in particular, the use of affect-laden speech are influenced by impaired function of the right hemisphere or a disconnection between the two hemispheres. A patient with agenesis of the corpus callosum is presented demonstrating severe alexithymia.
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D061085:Agenesis of Corpus Callosum; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D003142:Communication; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male