Anatomical and functional plasticity in early blind individuals and the mixture of experts architecture

Abstract

As described elsewhere in this special issue, recent advances in neuroimaging over the last decade have led to a rapid expansion in our knowledge of anatomical and functional correlations within the normal and abnormal human brain. Here, we review how early blindness has been used as a model system for examining the role of visual experience in the development of anatomical connections and functional responses. We discuss how lack of power in group comparisons may provide a potential explanation for why extensive anatomical changes in cortico-cortical connectivity are not observed. Finally we suggest a framework—cortical specialization via hierarchical mixtures of experts—which offers some promise in reconciling a wide range of functional and anatomical data.