Brain Plasticity Following Sensory Loss: From Basic Mechanisms to Therapy

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Background

There is now ample evidence that congenital or acquired loss of a sensory input triggers a myriad of brain neuroplastic changes. With the advent of modern non-invasive brain imaging techniques such as PET, (f)MRI, MEG and diffusion imaging, the scientific study of the mechanisms mediating brain plasticity following sensory loss has gathered momentum. The first brain imaging studies focused largely on the visual system and revealed that the visually-deprived occipital cortex at rest is metabolically hyperactive. Ensuing studies showed that tactile input and other forms of non-visual input activate the occipital cortex in congenitally blind and to a lesser extent also in late blind subjects. Brain morphometric and diffusion imaging studies have further shed light on the associated structural changes. Although most of the initial work strongly focused on visual loss, later studies also dealt with brain plastic changes following loss of auditory input, and to a lesser extent following loss of smell, taste, and somatosensory input.

With this special issue, we hope to further our understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain plasticity following sensory loss, to highlight similarities and differences between sensory loss in different domains (e.g. vision, audition, smell...) , and to identify major challenges for novel avenues for therapeutic progress. Last but not least, studies of the sensory-deprived brain can also help us to shed new light on normal brain development and function.

The goal of this special research topic on brain plasticity is to describe state-of-the-art developments in brain neuroplastic rearrangements following various types of loss of sensory input at birth or later in life. We encourage studies conducted in humans as well as those based on animal models of sensory deprivation. Both original studies and comprehensive review papers will be considered. Submitted manuscripts can relate to brain structural, functional and metabolic changes, how these relate to behavioral and cognitive adaptations, and how they can guide novel developments in invasive and non-invasive treatments. Considering the paucity of data on brain plasticity related to loss of the chemosensory senses, contributions with respect to neuroplastic rearrangements following COVID-19 infections are also strongly encouraged.

Keywords: brain plasticity, sensory deprivation, neural circuits, brain imaging, cross-modal, sensory substitution, critical periods, brain development

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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