Likova Lab

Brain Plasticity, Learning & Neurorehabilitation

The main areas of my research are neuroplasticity, brain mechanisms of art and learning, blindness rehabilitation through cognitive and spatiomotor training, vision deficits in TBI, and multimodal sensorimotor processing in the blind and the sighted. My lab takes an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates multiple brain imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI) coupled with a unique multimodal motion-capture system, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tensor-based brain morphometry (TBM), and electroencephalography (EEG).

Tabs

Journal Articles

Likova, L. T., Mei, M., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2019). Learning face perception without vision: Rebound learning effect and hemispheric differences in congenital vs late-onset blindness. Imaging Science And Technology: Human Vision And Electronic Imaging. http://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2019.12.HVEI-237 Human Vision and Electronic Imaging 2019

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2018). Comparative tensor-based morphometry of human brainstem in traumatic photophobia. Nature: Scientific Reports, (6256). Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-24386-z (Original work published 2018)

Tregillus, K. E. M., & Likova, L. T.. (2018). Fiber-tract differences in people with congenital and acquired blindness. Journal Of Vision, (18(10).

Karim, R., & Likova, L. T.. (2018). Haptic aesthetics in the blind: Behavioral and fMRI investigation. Imaging Science And Technology: Human Vision And Electronic Imaging, 532: 1-10. http://doi.org/DOI: 10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2018.14.HVEI-532

Likova, L. T. (2018). Brain reorganization in adulthood underlying a rapid switch in handedness induced by training in memory-guided drawing. Neuroplasticity Ed. Chaban V. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76317

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2018). When light hurts: Comparative morphometry of human brainstem in traumatic photalgia. Nature Scientific Reports, 8(1):6256. http://doi.org/doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-24386-z

Likova, L. T., & Cacciamani, L.. (2018). Transfer of Learning in People Who Are Blind: Enhancement of Spatial-Cognitive Abilities through Drawing. Journal Of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 4(112). Retrieved from https://www.afb.org/jvib/Newjvibabstract.asp?articleid=jvib120406

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (Apr 2017). Studying the Retinal Source of Photophobia by Facial Electroretinography. Optometry And Vision Science, 94(4). http://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0000000000001064 PMID: 28338564 (Original work published Apr 2017)

Cacciamani, L., & Likova, L. T.. (2017). Memory-guided drawing training increases Granger causal influences from the perirhinal cortex to V1 in the blind. Neurobiology Of Learning And Memory, 141. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2017.03.013 PMID: 28347878 PMCID: PMC 5488874 (Original work published 2017)

Likova, L. T. (2017). Addressing long-standing controversies in conceptual knowledge representation in the temporal pole: A cross-modal paradigm. Electronic Imaging: Human Vision And Electronic Imaging, Pp. 268-272(5). http://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2017.14.HVEI-155

Presentations/Posters

Likova, L. T. (2019). Enhancement of spatial cognition and brain connectivity in people with low vision and blindness. Retrieved from ARVO, Vancouver, Ca

Likova, L. T., Nicholas, S. C., & Tyler, C. W.. (2019). Top-down control of spatial memory visualization in early visual cortex. Retrieved from VSS, Fl

Likova, L. T., Mei, M., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2019). Is the face schema innate? Evidence from learning faces in the congenital blind. Retrieved from SfN

Likova, L. T., Mei, M., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2019). Learning face perception without vision: Rebound learning effect and hemispheric differences in blind and sighted. Retrieved from ECVP, Leuven

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2018). Memory Visualization and spatial learning. Retrieved from Nano-symposium at SfN

Likova, L. T. (2018). Rapid switches of handedness in late adulthood: Neuroplasticity driven by drawing training. Retrieved from Human Vision and Electronic Imaging, Burlingame, Ca

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (2018). Release of Cone-Rod Suppression as a Key Mechanism for Concussion-Induced Light Sensitivity.

Likova, L. T. (2018). Spatial Awareness Training via Memory-Drawing: Enhancement of Brain Plasticity, Learning and Memory, and Transfer of Training Effects. Retrieved from MacFarland Seminar, AER Conference, Reno, July 25, 2018

Likova, L. T. (2018). Brain plasticity and art. Retrieved from Guangzhou Technology Institute

Tregillus, K. E. M., & Likova, L. T.. (2018). Fiber-tract differences in people with congenital and acquired blindness. http://doi.org/10.1167/18.10.543

Other Publications

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (2014). The neurometabolic underpinnings of fMRI BOLD dynamics. In Advanced Brain Neuroimaging Topics in Health and Disease-Methods and Applications:. InTech. http://doi.org/10.5772/58274

Likova, L. T. (2018). Memory drawing and learning in the class room. Retrieved from Southern China Normal University, Guangzhou

Likova, L. T. (2018). Cognitive-Kinesthetic Method: Hands-on demonstration with trainers and educators for the blind. Retrieved from Satellite Symposium, Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Reno. July, 2018.

Likova, L. T. (2016). Key results from the reported research and their impact for the blind and low vision community. Retrieved from National State of the Science of Blindness Rehabilitation, Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, 2016

Likova, L. T. (2016). Keynote address at the Ciancia Festschrift meeting in Buenos Aires . Retrieved from The XI Reunión de los Discípulos del Dr. Ciancia, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Likova, L. T. (2016). Rehabilitation training and brain plasticity in blindness: non-visual drawing, spatial cognition enhancement and transfer of training effects. Retrieved from Envision Research Institute, Wichita, Kansas, USA, July 2016.

Likova, L. T. (2016). Art training and the brain: brain plasticity and blindness rehabilitation. Retrieved from SfN. San Diego Ca, USA, 2016, A Professional Development Workshop

Likova, L. T. (2015). Harnessing the power of drawing to drive brain plasticity. Live Webinar, Washington, DC. Retrieved from NEA, NSF & Inter agency Task Force on the Arts and Human Development

Likova, L. T. (1986). Magnetic Head, N 237417, G 11 B 5/10, Prague, Czech Republic.

Likova, L. T. (1985). Magnetic Head, N 30903, G 11 B 5/10, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Likova, L. T. (1985). Magnetic Head, N 1164781, G 11 B 5/10, Moscow, Russia.

Dr. Likova's Research on the Power of Drawing Featured in National Endowment for the Arts Webinar

On March 18, 2015, Dr Lora Likova’s work on how learning to draw promotes brain plasticity and can serve blindness rehabilitation was featured in a live National Endowment for the Arts webinar on
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Drawing Enhances Memory and Brain Plasticity Featured in Dana Foundation News

An online article in Dana Foundation News about the art/science relationships underlying Lora Likova’s blind training paradigm is available here:
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ABCs for Therapists Blog Post about Dr. Likova's Blind Drawing Training

A recent posting on the therapeutic value of the brain reorganization brought about by Lora Likova’s blind drawing training paradigm may be found here:
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United Academics Highlights Dr. Likova's Research on Brain Reorganization through Drawing

An online article about the implications of Lora Likova’s work for the visual memory of artists can be seen
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Harnessing the power of visual art for blind rehabilitation

A Smith-Kettlewell scientist, Dr. Lora Likova, develops unique art training to drive brain plasticity in totally blind and visually impaired people.
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Smith-Kettlewell Brain Imaging Center

The Smith-Kettlewell Brain Imaging Center supports a wide variety of human brain imaging modalities, including MRI, MRI morphometry, functional MRI, fMR Iretonogrphy, fMRI dynamics, functional conn
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Brain activation & suppression during blindfolded memory-guided drawing; the primary visual cortex (V1) is isolated by profound extrastriate suppression.

Harnessing the Power of Drawing for the Enhancement of Learning across Levels of Vision Function

Recent scientific findings about art and drawing suggest that drawing can facilitate learning in a wide variety of domains. The proposed collaboration will develop an interdisciplinary research program aimed at harnessing the power of drawing to enhance learning across fields of intellectual endeavor.

Active

Venn diagram of the multidisciplinary approach to this clinical trial on blind navigation.

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Advanced Spatiomotor Rehabilitation for Navigation in Blindness & Visual Impairment

Successful navigation requires the development of an accurate and flexible mental, or cognitive, map of the navigational space and of the route trajectory required to travel from the current to the target location. The Cognitive-Kinesthetic (C-K) Rehabilitation Training that we have developed in the preceding period utilizes a unique form of blind memory-guided drawing to develop cognitive mapping to a high level of proficiency.

Current

Past

Principal Investigator:

Lora Likova

Contact:

lora@ski.org (415) 345-2066 (415) 345-2087

Funding:

Advanced Spatiomotor Rehabilitation in Blindness & Visual Impairment

Mechanisms of Photophobia in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Human Subjects: Therapeutic Implications

SL-CN: Harnessing the Power of Drawing for the Enhancement of Learning across Levels of Vision Function