THE SEPTUM PELLUCIDUM AND SPATIAL ABILITY OF CHILDREN WITH OPTIC-NERVE HYPOPLASIA

Animal studies suggest that spatial skills are dependent on an intact septum pellucidum. This theory was tested by comparing patients who we re visually impaired due to bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia: 13 with a septum pellucidum were compared with six children without a septum p ellucidum. There was no difference in spatial ability. The finding of an absent septum pellucidum may only indicate the timing of a congenit al brain insult, and it cannot be used to predict specific clinical, n euroendocrinological, cognitive or spatial abnormalities.