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Blindness and Human Brain Plasticity
1Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
Annual Review of Vision Science
|July 6, 2018
Summary
Early blindness profoundly reshapes neural function, impacting over 25% of the cortex. This review explores how blind individuals
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- Early blindness induces significant neural alterations affecting metabolism, behavior, and brain structure.
- These widespread changes represent a dramatic example of human brain plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the behavioral and neuroanatomical compensations observed in blind individuals.
- To elucidate the mechanisms and limitations of brain plasticity using these examples.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on early blindness and brain plasticity.
- Analysis of behavioral and neuroimaging data from blind populations.
Main Results:
- Blind individuals exhibit remarkable compensatory behaviors and neuroanatomical adaptations.
- These adaptations provide insights into the brain's capacity for change.
Conclusions:
- The study of early blindness offers a unique window into the extent and mechanisms of human brain plasticity.
- Understanding these adaptations can inform therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.
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