Neuroreport · 1991 · 93 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesNeurobiologyNeuroscienceSensory NeuroscienceSensory PhysiologyVisual NeuroscienceAuditory NeurobiologyAuditory NeuroscienceAuditory PhysiologyAuditory SystemVisual PhysiologyVisual SystemAuditory InputAuditory Sensory PhysiologyNeural DegenerationSingle-unit RecordingVisual Cortex LesionsVisual Cortex OrganizationVisual Cortex PhysiologyVisual Cortex Responses
Previously we have shown that the dorsal lateral geniculate body (LGB), which is strictly visual in sighted mammals, receives a strong auditory input in the naturally blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi). Here we show with the 2-deoxyglucose technique and with single-unit recordings that in this species the initially non-degenerated visual cortex, as defined by its connection with LGB, is also activated by the auditory modality. These findings suggest that cross-modal compensation may occur as a natural consequence of the degeneration of a sense organ.