Abstract
Primary visual cortex can undergo forms of reorganization following bilateral lesions to the retinas of animals. Brain cells that originally received input from retinal tissue that was lesioned become responsive to retina that remains intact. In humans, reorganization of the primary visual cortex has been found in adult patients with congenital foveal lesions. More recent investigations of patients with macular degeneration, who acquired retinal lesions later, have yielded mixed results. In this paper we review the evidence for and characteristics of cortical reorganization in humans and animals and suggest how it might be evaluated in the context of strategies for treating retinal disease.
Notes
ast; This rather useful measure was first encountered by the authors when discussing visual cortical areas with Christopher Tyler, PhD, Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco.