Journal article
The role of visual deprivation and experience on the performance of sensory substitution devices
HC Stronks, AC Nau, MR Ibbotson, N Barnes
Brain Research | ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV | Published : 2015
Abstract
It is commonly accepted that the blind can partially compensate for their loss of vision by developing enhanced abilities with their remaining senses. This visual compensation may be related to the fact that blind people rely on their other senses in everyday life. Many studies have indeed shown that experience plays an important role in visual compensation. Numerous neuroimaging studies have shown that the visual cortices of the blind are recruited by other functional brain areas and can become responsive to tactile or auditory input instead. These cross-modal plastic changes are more pronounced in the early blind compared to late blind individuals. The functional consequences of cross-moda..
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Awarded by Lions Clubs International Foundation
Funding Acknowledgements
We wish to thank Daniel Goldreich and Jacqueline Fisher for making available the data on the disease etiologies in their study subjects. NICTA is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Communications and the Australian Research Council through the ICT Centre of Excellence Program. NICTA is also funded and supported by the Australian Capital Territory, the New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian Governments, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, Monash University and other university partners. Ibbotson is supported by the Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function (CE140100007) and gratefully acknowledges the support of the Lions Clubs of Victoria.