Perceptual consequences of cortical reorganization

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究调查的原因和知觉后果的皮质重组在人类成年视觉系统后，输入的损失。本研究将针对黄斑变性（MD）患者进行各种心理物理和功能磁共振成像实验。MD是一种损害中央视网膜的病症，并且因此剥夺了正常响应于其正常输入的中央凹刺激的视觉皮层区域。使用功能磁共振成像和心理物理学实验，这项研究将测试的假设，知觉失真导致皮层重组，皮层重组逐渐从“被动”的刺激，不需要长期注意到一个特定的视网膜位置。这是我们所知道的第一个项目，询问MD患者视觉皮层变化的结果是什么。这项研究的结果很重要，原因有几个。这些调查将阐明成人皮质可塑性在视觉系统中的机制，该可塑性的感知后果，以及神经和感知的变化，发生在MD。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research investigates both the causes and perceptual consequences of cortical reorganization in the human adult visual system following loss of input. This research will be aimed at conducting various psychophysical and fMRI experiments on individuals with macular degeneration (MD). MD is a condition that damages the central retina, and as a consequence, deprives the region of visual cortex that normally responds to foveal stimuli of its normal input. Using fMRI and psychophysical experiments, this research will test the hypotheses that perceptual distortions result from cortical reorganization, and that cortical reorganization arises gradually from "passive" stimulation, not requiring chronic attention to a particular retina location. This is the first project we know of to ask what happens perceptually as a result of changes in visual cortex in individuals with MD. The results of this research are important for several reasons. These investigations will illuminate the mechanisms underlying adult cortical plasticity in the visual system, the perceptual consequences of that plasticity, and the neural and perceptual changes that occur in MD.