title: Origins of task-specific sensory-independent organization in the visual and auditory brain: neuroscience evidence, open questions and clinical implications.
abstract: Evidence of task-specific sensory-independent (TSSI) plasticity from blind and deaf populations has led to a better understanding of brain organization. However, the principles determining the origins of this plasticity remain unclear. We review recent data suggesting that a combination of the connectivity bias and sensitivity to task-distinctive features might account for TSSI plasticity in the sensory cortices as a whole, from the higher-order occipital/temporal cortices to the primary sensory cortices. We discuss current theories and evidence, open questions and related predictions. Finally, given the rapid progress in visual and auditory restoration techniques, we address the crucial need to develop effective rehabilitation approaches for sensory recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Research, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heimler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
authors.forename: Ella
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Striem-Amit
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Research, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Ein-Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel; The Cognitive Science Program, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91220, Israel; Sorbonne Universite's, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Université Paris 06, Institut de la Vision, Unité Mixte de Recherche en Santé (UMRS) 968, Paris 75012, France. Electronic address: amir.amedi@ekmd.huji.ac.il.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amedi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D001766:Blindness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003638:Deafness / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D012683:Sensory Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000502:physiology*