title: Large-scale remapping of visual cortex is absent in adult humans with macular degeneration.
abstract: The occipital lobe contains retinotopic representations of the visual field. The representation of the central retina in early visual areas (V1-3) is found at the occipital pole. When the central retina is lesioned in both eyes by macular degeneration, this region of visual cortex at the occipital pole is accordingly deprived of input. However, even when such lesions occur in adulthood, some visually driven activity in and around the occipital pole can be observed. It has been suggested that this activity is a result of remapping of this area so that it now responds to inputs from intact, peripheral retina. We evaluated whether or not remapping of visual cortex underlies this activity. Our functional magnetic resonance imaging results provide no evidence of remapping, questioning the contemporary view that early visual areas of the adult human brain have the capacity to reorganize extensively.
authors: York Neuroimaging Centre, Department of Psychology, University of York, York, UK.
authors: Heidi A
authors: HA
authors: Baseler
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Gouws
authors: Koen V
authors: KV
authors: Haak
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Racey
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Crossland
authors: Adnan
authors: A
authors: Tufail
authors: Gary S
authors: GS
authors: Rubin
authors: Frans W
authors: FW
authors: Cornelissen
authors: Antony B
authors: AB
authors: Morland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen