Multimodal MR-imaging reveals large-scale structural and functional connectivity changes in profound early blindness.

ABSTRACT: In the setting of profound ocular blindness, numerous lines of evidence demonstrate the existence of dramatic anatomical and functional changes within the brain. However, previous studies based on a variety of distinct measures have often provided inconsistent findings. To help reconcile this issue, we used a multimodal magnetic resonance (MR)-based imaging approach to provide complementary structural and functional information regarding this neuroplastic reorganization. This included gray matter structural morphometry, high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) of white matter connectivity and integrity, and resting state functional connectivity MRI (rsfcMRI) analysis. When comparing the brains of early blind individuals to sighted controls, we found evidence of co-occurring decrea

SUBMITTER: Bauer CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5362049 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature