Holly Bridge, PhD
Professor of Neuroscience
Oxford University

Investigating the Human Visual System in the Absence of Light Input
In the rare case that both eyes fail to develop, there is a complete absence of light input to the visual system at all stages of development. This raises the question of how the brain utilizes the cortical and subcortical areas that would usually process visual information. It has been shown in a number of studies that the ‘visual cortex’ of congenitally blind people is used to process ‘high-level’ auditory information such as language. In this talk Dr. Bridge will present a series of fMRI studies which attempt to understand how auditory information reaches the occipital lobe. Specifically we have addressed the question of whether subcortical visual structures can also be used to convey auditory information using the visual hierarchy. She will also consider briefly how this altered brain function is reflected in auditory performance. From a developmental perspective this work provides significant insight into the extent to which the human brain can reorganize when deprived of input.

This free lecture is made possible in part by a generous endowment from Professor Roger B. Loucks.