Adult deafness induces somatosensory conversion of ferret auditory cortex.
In response to early or developmental lesions, responsiveness of sensory cortex can be converted from the deprived modality to that of the remaining sensory systems. However, little is known about capacity of the adult cortex for cross-modal reorganization. The present study examined the auditory cortices of animals deafened as adults, and observed an extensive somatosensory conversion within as little as 16 days after deafening. These results demonstrate that cortical cross-modal reorganization can occur after the period of sensory system maturation.
Allman
Brian L
BL
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. ballman2@vcu.edu
Keniston
Leslie P
LP
Meredith
M Alex
MA
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001306:Auditory Pathways; D003638:Deafness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005289:Ferrets; D009445:Neuroanatomy; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*