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Published on: February 8, 2020
Tool selectivity in left occipitotemporal cortex develops without vision
Marius V Peelen1, Stefania Bracci, Xueming Lu
1Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, 38068 Rovereto, Italy. marius.peelen@unitn.it
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|May 8, 2013
Summary
Tool-selective brain activity in the left lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC) develops even without visual experience. This finding suggests that the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Previous research identified a tool-selective region in the left lateral occipitotemporal cortex (LOTC).
- This region typically responds to visual stimuli of tools and tool-related motion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether visual experience is necessary for the development of tool-selective responses in the left LOTC.
- To explore the role of auditory versus visual information in activating this brain region.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to study 14 congenitally blind and 16 sighted participants.
- Participants listened to auditory words for tools, animals, and nonmanipulable objects.
- Sighted participants also viewed pictures of these objects.
Main Results:
- Both sighted and congenitally blind participants showed significant tool-selective activity in the left LOTC when processing auditory tool-related words.
- This activity was comparable in strength and location between the two groups.
- Functional connectivity was observed between the left LOTC and a frontoparietal network in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Tool-selective responses in the left LOTC can develop without any prior visual experience of tools.
- This suggests that the organization of the occipitotemporal cortex is not solely dependent on visual input.
- The findings provide insights into the principles underlying brain functional organization.
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