Grant: Project Grant

Sensory perception allows us to interact with the world around us, and all of us are capable of learning to perceive new stimuli. How the brain implements this learning is an active area of study, but there are, broadly speaking, two possible mechanisms. The first mechanism involves changing the way neurons in the brain respond to sensory signals, and the second entails changing the connections between neurons in different brain regions. For visual perception, evidence suggests that the first method is how children learn, but that it is far less effective in adults. In this research project, we will attempt to understand the rules that govern the second kind of learning: How does the brain decide which connections to change? How much can they be changed and how quickly do the changes take place? This knowledge will allow us to design new approaches for improving visual function in normally-sighted individuals, and for restoring vision in patients who suffer from stroke or other brain injuries.