Activation of the hippocampal complex during tactile maze solving in congenitally blind subjects

Gagnon, Léa; Schneider, Fabien C.; Siebner, Hartwig R.; Paulson, Olaf B.; Kupers, Ron; Ptito, Maurice

doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.03.022

Cited by 45Tactile and Sensory InteractionsSpatial Cognition and NavigationMemory and Neural Mechanisms

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Activation of the hippocampal complex during tactile maze solving in congenitally blind subjects

Gagnon, Léa, Schneider, Fabien C., Siebner, Hartwig R., Paulson, Olaf B., Kupers, Ron, Ptito, Maurice·2012·Neuropsychologia

DOI 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.03.022

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Abstract

Despite their lack of vision, congenitally blind subjects are able to build and manipulate cognitive maps for spatial navigation. It is assumed that they thereby rely more heavily on echolocation, proprioceptive signals and environmental cues such as ambient temperature and audition to compensate for their lack of vision. Little is known, however, about the neural mechanisms underlying spatial navigation in blind individuals in settings where these cues are absent. We therefore measured behavioural performance and blood oxygenation-level dependant (BOLD) responses using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in congenitally blind and blindfolded sighted participants while they navigated through a tactile multiple T-maze. Both groups learned the maze task at a similar pace. In blind participants, tactile maze navigation was associated with increased BOLD responses in the right hippocampus and parahippocampus, occipital cortex and fusiform gyrus. Blindfolded sighted controls did not show increased BOLD responses in these areas; instead they activated the caudate nucleus and thalamus. Both groups activated the precuneus during tactile maze navigation. We conclude that cross-modal plastic processes allow for the recruitment of the hippocampal complex and visual cortex in congenital blindness.

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Authors: Gagnon, L., Schneider, F. C., Siebner, H. R., Paulson, O. B., Kupers, R., & Ptito, M.
Affiliations: University of Copenhagen (DK)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
Hvidovre Hospital (DK)
Corresponding author: Kupers, Ron
ORCID: Gagnon, Léa
Schneider, Fabien C.
Siebner, Hartwig R.
Paulson, Olaf B.
Kupers, Ron
Ptito, Maurice
Venue: Neuropsychologia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2012-06
Volume: 50
Issue: 7
Pages: 1663-1671
ISSN: 0028-3932 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2012.03.022
OpenAlex: W2160197710
Cited by: 45
References: 59
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI: 1.63
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations: Neuropsychologia (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Funders: Simons Foundation
Lundbeckfonden (R59-2010-5399)
Simon Spies Fonden
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Tactile and Sensory Interactions
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Spatial Cognition and Navigation
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords: congenital blindness, spatial navigation, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, cross-modal plasticity, visual cortex, precuneus, caudate nucleus, thalamus, fusiform gyrus, occipital cortex, BOLD signal
MeSH terms: Adult, Analysis of Variance, Blindness, Brain Mapping, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Oxygen, Problem Solving, Time Factors, Touch, Maze Learning, Young Adult

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Activation of the hippocampal complex during tactile maze solving in congenitally blind subjects

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