Investigating the fine-scale functional hierarchy in blindness with connective field modeling

Abstract:

The visual cortex in blind individuals undergoes extensive neuroplastic adaptation, yet its fine-scale functional architecture remains largely unexplored. In the sighted brain, this region is organized retinotopically and follows a hierarchical structure, with population receptive fields (pRFs) increasing in size across successive visual areas. While some aspects of retinotopy may emerge independently of vision, developing functional hierarchies likely requires early visual input. In blindness, the cortex receives inputs from other senses, possibly reshaping its functional layout. This study employs connective field modeling (CFm)—a method independent of visual stimuli—to examine whether such hierarchical organization is retained or restructured in the absence of sight.

Location:

Sano, Czarnowiejska 36, building C5, 3rd floor (room 334)

3rd April 2025 13:00