Oxyopia Abstract

March 23, 2006
Friday, 4 PM
489 Minor Hall

Brian A. Wandell, PhD
Stein Family Professor, Psychology Department, Stanford University
Host: Dennis Levi

   Russell De Valois Memorial Lecture (Info)

Title

Development and Plasticity in Visual Cortex

Abstract

Visual cortex has been an excellent model system for developing a quantitative understanding of brain function. We understand a great deal about the physical signals that initiate vision, and this knowledge has led to a relatively advanced understanding of the organization of major structures in visual cortex, such as visual field maps. This talk will explain several measurements and computational methods that are used to understand human brain development and plasticity.

First, we have developed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methods for measuring and quantifying the properties of maps in individual human and macaque brains. To understand the development and plasticity of these maps, we have made measurements in several cases of abnormal development as well as in controlled experiments using macaque.

Second, we are combining fMRI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a method that can be used to study the white matter fibers, to understand visual development. Specifically, as children develop and learn to read certain visual recognition skills become highly automatized and the brain develops specialized visual circuitry to support skilled reading. We are measuring how certain parts of these circuits develop, and how the signals from these circuits are transmitted to other cortical systems.

[Joint work with Robert Dougherty, Alyssa Brewer, Michal Ben-Shachar, Junjie, Liu, Gayle Deutsch, Stelios Smirnakis and Nikos Logothetis]

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