Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Visualization of Cortical Modules in Flattened Mammalian Cortices
Published on: January 22, 2018
A nonvisual look at the functional organization of visual cortex.
Marius V Peelen1, Sabine Kastner
1Department of Psychology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA. mpeelen@princeton.edu
Congenitally blind individuals show object-category organization in their ventral visual cortex, similar to sighted people. This challenges the notion that this brain region solely relies on visual experience for its function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
Background:
- The ventral visual cortex is traditionally associated with processing visual information.
- Understanding the role of experience in shaping brain organization is crucial.
Discussion:
- Mahon et al. demonstrate that the ventral visual cortex in individuals with congenital blindness exhibits functional organization for object categories.
- This organization mirrors patterns observed in sighted individuals, despite the absence of visual input.
Key Insights:
- Brain regions can develop functional organization independent of their primary sensory input.
- The "visual" cortex may have inherent organizational principles not solely dependent on sight.
Outlook:
- Further research can explore the neural mechanisms underlying this cross-modal organization.
- Investigating the impact of sensory deprivation on cortical plasticity offers new avenues for understanding brain development.
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