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.