PSYCH 3FA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Visual Cortex, Handheld Projector, Receptive Field
Document Summary
Receptive field dynamics in adults primary visual cortex. The adult brain has a remarkable ability to adjust to changes in sensory input. Removal of afferent input to the somatosensory, auditory, motor or visual cortex results in a marked change of cortical topography. The alterations of cortical topography in adult animals first seen in the somatosensory cortex following digit amputation demonstrated in studies of various sensory and motor areas. How the brain changes its cortical topography to accommodate for deficits caused by damage. Receptive field and cortical topography can be altered, by changing the afferent input of sensory activity, over a period of months. Lesions given to monkeys and cats (12 pairs) Receptive field maps made (in selective portion of cortex) with a handheld projector (before and after lesions) Changes measured both immediately and month after to look at effects both short and long term. Short term and long term changes exist within the visual system upon cortical damage.
