How losing sight at different ages reshapes the brain and other senses
Cross modal plasticity following loss of vision at different developmental stages: Cortical function, connections and compensatory behavior
This project compares how vision loss at different ages changes brain wiring and boosts touch and hearing to inform care for people with blindness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127408 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, researchers use a small animal model to mimic blindness that starts early in life versus later, then look at how the brain areas for vision and touch change. They record single-neuron activity, map anatomical connections between brain regions, and test behaviors that rely on hearing and touch. By linking anatomical and functional changes to how well the animals perform sensory tasks, the team hopes to learn principles that could guide rehabilitation approaches for people with vision loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to people who have significant vision loss or blindness that began in infancy/childhood or in adulthood.
Not a fit: People with temporary, reversible vision problems or without any vision loss are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this animal-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide better timing and types of sensory training or rehabilitation for people who lose vision at different ages.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal studies, including work from this lab, have shown strong brain reorganization after early blindness, but applying those findings to human therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krubitzer, Leah Ann — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Krubitzer, Leah Ann
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.