Language deficits are frequently reported in studies of patients with
schizophrenia. The present study sought to test the hypothesis that such
deficits are related to callosal function in this group. The FAS test of
verbal fluency and Perin's Spoonerisms test of phonological
processing were the tests of language. Callosal function was assessed
using a Crossed Finger Localisation Test (CFLT), which is a measure of the
interhemispheric transfer of somatosensory information. Patients with
schizophrenia performed less well than controls on measures of language
function, as well as on the CFLT. Significant positive correlations
between CFLT performance and language function were present in the patient
group, but not the control group. These findings extend on previous
studies that report functional abnormalities of the corpus callosum in
schizophrenia and are consistent with the hypothesis that language
deficits in schizophrenia are related to impaired callosal functioning in
this group. However, other explanations cannot be ruled out.
(JINS, 2007, 13, 893–897.)