Microcephaly is neurological condition within which the brain fails to develop to a normal size resulting in the appearance of a smaller head. Microcephaly often accompanies various neurodevelopmental disorders. The corpus callosum is the largest white matter structure in the brain, comprised primarily of heavily myelinated axons. The corpus callosum connects the left and right hemisphere and allows for communication to occur between hemispheres. Using MRI measurements from a sample of 18 microcephalic patients, I analyzed whether the corpus callosum was impacted as a result of microcephaly. When compared to normocephalic controls, the corpus callosum was generally smaller in relation to overall cerebral hemispheric volume, suggesting that white matter brain tissues may be affected by microcephaly. A deeper understanding of the brain through research on the underlying mechanisms responsible for brain evolution and development is critical to our ability to detect, treat and prevent neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_41927 |
| Contributors | Fishbein, Alyson (author), Ellis, Meredith (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Department of Anthropology |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 82 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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