Short CommunicationNeurophysiological investigation of congenital mirror movements in a patient with agenesis of the corpus callosum

We describe a patient with complete agenesis of the corpus callosum and congenital mirror movements in which primary motor cortex (M1) excitability of both hemispheres was assessed with transcranial magnetic stimulation. Voluntary contraction of the index finger was associated with bilateral electromyographic activity in the first dorsal interosseus muscle. Motor-evoked potentials of identical latencies were produced bilaterally after unilateral M1 stimulation. Measures of intracortical inhibition and facilitation were within normal limits bilaterally although a shorter contralateral silent period was found for both hemispheres. Taken together, the current data suggest a pattern of M1 excitability very similar to that found in patients with congenital mirror movements and no other motor abnormality.