Speaker: Prof Andrej Kral (Hannover Medical School)
Abstract
Crossmodal plasticity is a textbook example of the ability of the brain to reorganize based on use.
The congenitally deaf cat is a unique model that recapitulates many reorganization of the brain related to deafness, including critical periods, changes in brain connectivity and cross-modal reorganizations.
Using this model it has been possible to study the neuronal mechanisms behind cross-modal plasticity in this extreme deprivation condition (complete and congenital).
The data demonstrates a high areal specificity of the reorganization, a moderate anatomic substrate and correspondingly a moderate electrophysiological substrate of cross-modal rewiring.
The data is compatible with a mechanism exploiting pre-existing circuitry and top-down interactions, in case of congenital deafness including exuberant connections between sensory systems that were not pruned during early postnatal development (review in Kral and Sharma, 2023, Trends Neurosci).
The data disproves that crossmodal reorganization is closing critical periods in deafness. In consequence crossmodal plasticity does not affect the neuronal preconditions for successful hearing restoration and given its dynamic and versatile nature.
Crossmodal plasticity can be effectively exploited for improving clinical outcomes after neurosensory restoration.
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