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(2018) Mobility of visually impaired people, Dordrecht, Springer.
The multisensory blind brain
Vanessa Harrar , Sébrina Aubin , Daniel-Robert Chebat , Ron Kupers , Maurice Ptito
pp. 111-136
Classic neuroanatomy teaches that the brain can be divided into five lobes with distinct sensory functions, and a couple small areas of the brain that integrate the information from the different senses. Studies into the plasticity in the blind brain have revealed that the occipital cortex is not solely reserved for visual functions. Congenitally blind people use the occipital cortex to interpret tactile, auditory and olfactory stimuli. In this chapter we also review pain and taste pathways in the blind brain. The reorganisation of the blind brain, across the usual sensory boundaries, demonstrates the amazing multisensory plasticity that can arise when development is irregular. These studies support the hypothesis that instead of being sensory-specific, cortical regions appear to be functionally specific. Understanding the role of vision within the brain can improve current rehabilitation schemes following neuronal damage. More specifically, the extensive plasticity demonstrated in the blind brain can be used to improve assistive technologies built for the blind.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-54446-5_4
Full citation:
Harrar, V. , Aubin, S. , Chebat, D. , Kupers, R. , Ptito, M. (2018)., The multisensory blind brain, in E. Pissaloux (ed.), Mobility of visually impaired people, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 111-136.
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