Real world navigation independence in the early blind correlates with differential brain activity associated with virtual navigation.

ABSTRACT: Navigating is a complex cognitive task that places high demands on spatial abilities, particularly in the absence of sight. Significant advances have been made in identifying the neural correlates associated with various aspects of this skill; however, how the brain is able to navigate in the absence of visual experience remains poorly understood. Furthermore, how neural network activity relates to the wide variability in navigational independence and skill in the blind population is also unknown. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated the neural correlates of audio-based navigation within a large scale, indoor virtual environment in early profoundly blind participants with differing levels of spatial navigation independence (assessed by the Santa Barbara Sense of Dir

SUBMITTER: Halko MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3954447 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature