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Original Article

Unimodal and cross-modal plasticity in the ‘deaf’ auditory cortex

Pages 479-493 | Received 12 Mar 2007, Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Congenital auditory deprivation leads to deficits in the auditory cortex. The present review focuses on central aspects of auditory deprivation: development, plasticity, corticocortical interactions, and cross-modal reorganization. We compile imaging data from human subjects, electroencephalographic data from cochlear implanted children, and animal research on congenital deafness. Behavioral, electroencephalographic, and imaging data in humans correspond well to data behavioral and neurophysiological data obtained from congenitally deaf cats. The available data indicate that auditory deprivation leads to ‘decoupling’ of the primary auditory cortex from cognitive modulation of higher-order auditory areas. Higher-order auditory areas undergo a strong cross-modal reorganization and take-over new functions. Due to these and other deficits of intrinsic microcircuitry, the cortical column can not integrate bottom-up and top-down influences in deaf auditory cortex. In the ultimate consequence perceptual learning is compromised, resulting in sensitive periods.

Sumario

La deprivación auditiva congénita conduce deficiencias en la corteza auditiva. La presente revisión se concentra en aspectos centrales de la deprivación auditiva: desarrollo, plasticidad, interacciones cortico-corticales y reorganización modal cruzada. Compilamos datos de imágenes de sujetos humanos, datos electroencefalográficos de niños con implante coclear, y de investigación en animales sobre sordera congénita. Los datos conductuales, electroencefalográficos y de imágenes en humanos correlacionan bien con los datos conductuales y neurofisiológicos obtenidos de gatos sordos congénitos. La información disponible indica que la deprivación auditiva conduce a un desacople de la corteza auditiva primaria con respecto a la modulación cognitiva de las áreas auditivas de orden superior. ‘Éstas sufren una reorganización modal cruzada fuerte y toman posesión de nuevas funciones. Debido a éstas y a nuevas deficiencias de los microcircuitos intrínsecos, la columna cortical no puede integrar las influencias ascendentes y descendentes en la corteza auditiva sorda. Como una consecuencia final, se pone en peligro el aprendizaje perceptual, y por consiguiente, los períodos sensibles.

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