Reorganization of human cortical maps caused by inherited photoreceptor abnormalities

Heidi Baseler; Alyissa. A. Brewer; Lindsay. T. Sharpe; Herbert Jägle; Brian. A. Wandell; Antony Morland

doi:10.1038/nn817

Reorganization of human cortical maps caused by inherited photoreceptor abnormalities

Heidi Baseler
, Alyissa. A. Brewer
, Lindsay. T. Sharpe
, Herbert Jägle
, Brian. A. Wandell
, Antony Morland

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We describe a compelling demonstration of large-scale developmental reorganization in the human visual pathways. The developmental reorganization was observed in rod monochromats, a rare group of congenitally colorblind individuals who virtually lack cone photoreceptor function. Normal controls had a cortical region, spanning several square centimeters, that responded to signals initiated in the all-cone foveola but was inactive under rod viewing conditions; in rod monochromats this cortical region responded powerfully to rod-initiated signals. The measurements trace a causal pathway that begins with a genetic anomaly that directly influences sensory cells and ultimately results in a substantial central reorganization.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	364-370
Number of pages	6
Journal	Nature neuroscience
Volume	5
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/nn817
Publication status	Published - Feb 2002

Keywords

Adult
Brain Mapping
Color Vision Defects
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells
Visual Cortex
Visual Fields
Visual Pathways
Visual Perception

Access to Document

10.1038/nn817

http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nn817

1 Invited talk
1 Symposium

Development of visual pathways without functional cone input
Baseler, H. (Invited speaker)
24 Apr 2025
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Plasticity and stability in human foveal pathways
Baseler, H. (Invited speaker)
4 Oct 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation › Symposium

Cite this

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title = "Reorganization of human cortical maps caused by inherited photoreceptor abnormalities",

abstract = "We describe a compelling demonstration of large-scale developmental reorganization in the human visual pathways. The developmental reorganization was observed in rod monochromats, a rare group of congenitally colorblind individuals who virtually lack cone photoreceptor function. Normal controls had a cortical region, spanning several square centimeters, that responded to signals initiated in the all-cone foveola but was inactive under rod viewing conditions; in rod monochromats this cortical region responded powerfully to rod-initiated signals. The measurements trace a causal pathway that begins with a genetic anomaly that directly influences sensory cells and ultimately results in a substantial central reorganization.",

keywords = "Adult, Brain Mapping, Color Vision Defects, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells, Visual Cortex, Visual Fields, Visual Pathways, Visual Perception",

author = "Heidi Baseler and Brewer, \{Alyissa. A.\} and Sharpe, \{Lindsay. T.\} and Herbert J{\"a}gle and Wandell, \{Brian. A.\} and Antony Morland",

year = "2002",

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doi = "10.1038/nn817",

language = "English",

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journal = "Nature neuroscience",

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AU - Baseler, Heidi

AU - Brewer, Alyissa. A.

AU - Sharpe, Lindsay. T.

AU - Jägle, Herbert

AU - Wandell, Brian. A.

AU - Morland, Antony

PY - 2002/2

Y1 - 2002/2

N2 - We describe a compelling demonstration of large-scale developmental reorganization in the human visual pathways. The developmental reorganization was observed in rod monochromats, a rare group of congenitally colorblind individuals who virtually lack cone photoreceptor function. Normal controls had a cortical region, spanning several square centimeters, that responded to signals initiated in the all-cone foveola but was inactive under rod viewing conditions; in rod monochromats this cortical region responded powerfully to rod-initiated signals. The measurements trace a causal pathway that begins with a genetic anomaly that directly influences sensory cells and ultimately results in a substantial central reorganization.

AB - We describe a compelling demonstration of large-scale developmental reorganization in the human visual pathways. The developmental reorganization was observed in rod monochromats, a rare group of congenitally colorblind individuals who virtually lack cone photoreceptor function. Normal controls had a cortical region, spanning several square centimeters, that responded to signals initiated in the all-cone foveola but was inactive under rod viewing conditions; in rod monochromats this cortical region responded powerfully to rod-initiated signals. The measurements trace a causal pathway that begins with a genetic anomaly that directly influences sensory cells and ultimately results in a substantial central reorganization.

KW - Adult

KW - Brain Mapping

KW - Color Vision Defects

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells

KW - Visual Cortex

KW - Visual Fields

KW - Visual Pathways

KW - Visual Perception

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DO - 10.1038/nn817

M3 - Article

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VL - 5

SP - 364

EP - 370

JO - Nature neuroscience

JF - Nature neuroscience

IS - 4

ER -

Reorganization of human cortical maps caused by inherited photoreceptor abnormalities

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Activities

Development of visual pathways without functional cone input

Plasticity and stability in human foveal pathways

Cite this