ABSTRACT
The brain of blind individuals is different than that of sighted individuals. Loss of vision induces changes to adapt to the modification in afferent inputs and efferent demands to the brain, and reflect shifts in information processing. Dynamic shifts in the strength of preexisting connections across distributed neural networks, changes in task-related cortico-cortical and corticosubcortical coherence, and modifications of the mapping between behavior and neural activity take place in response to changes in afferent input or efferent demand. Such changes are rapid and ongoing, and even temporary loss of vision due to blindfolding induces such changes in the human brain. Prolonged loss of vision, particularly early blindness, can induce the establishment of new connections through dendritic growth and arborization.
