Likova Lab

Lora Likova: MRI scanner, UCSF

Contact Information

Email:
lora@ski.org
Office Phone:
(415) 345-2066
Lab Phone:
(415) 345-2087

Brain Plasticity, Learning & Neurorehabilitation

The research in my Lab is focused on the fields of neuroplasticity, brain mechanisms of art and learning, neurorehabilitation of blindness, memory and spatial cognition, navigation, vision deficits in TBI, and multimodal sensorimotor processing across levels of visual impairment. For this research we integrate multiple brain imaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tensor-based brain morphometry (TBM), and electroencephalography (EEG), as well as virtual reality, motion-capture, and specialized remote-research systems.

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Publications

Journal Articles

Karim, A. K. M. R., Proulx, M. J., de Sousa, A. A., & Likova, L. T. (2022). Do we enjoy what we sense and perceive? A dissociation between aesthetic appreciation and basic perception of environmental objects or events. Cognitive, Affective, And Behavioral Neuroscience . (Original work published 2022)
Likova, L. T., Jiang, F., Stiles, N. R. B., & Tanguay, A. R. (2022). Editorial: Special Issue on Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions. Journal Of Perceptual Imaging. (Original work published 2022)
Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T. (2022). Brain trauma impacts retinal processing: photoreceptor pathway interactions in traumatic light sensitivity. Documenta Ophthalmologica, 144, 1–12. doi.org/10.1007/s10633-022-09871-1 (Original work published 2022)
Hartelius, G., Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W. (2022). Self-regulation of the seat of attention Into various attentional stances facilitates access to cognitive and emotional resources: An EEG study. Frontiers In Psychology, 13, 810780–810780. 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.810780 (Original work published 2022)
Karim, A. K. M. R., Proulx, M. J., de Sousa, A. A., & Likova, L. T. (2021). Neuroplasticity and Crossmodal Connectivity in the Normal, Healthy Brain. Psychology & Neuroscience. (Original work published 2021)
Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. M., & Nicholas, S. N. (2021). Mental visualization in the cerebellum: Rapid non-motor learning at sub-lobular and causal network levels. Frontiers In Systems Neuroscience. doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2021.655514 (Original work published 2021)
Karim, R., Prativa, S., & Likova, L. T. (2021). Perception and Appreciation of Tactile Objects: The Role of Visual Experience and Texture Parameters. Special Issue On Multisensory And Crossmodal Interactions, Jpi. Editors: Likova, L.t., Jiang, F., Stilles, N., Tanguay, A.r. (Original work published 2021)
Tregillus, K. E. M., & Likova, L. T. (2020). Differences in the major fiber-tracts of people with congenital and acquired blindness. Imaging Science & Technology / Human Vision And Electronic Imaging 2020. Retrieved de https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2020.11.HVEI-366 (Original work published 2020)
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. 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. Scientific Reports, (6256). Retrieved de https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-24386-z (Original work published 2018)

Presentations/Posters

Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. N. (2021). Cerebellum vs. cerebrum in memory visualization: Rapid cognitive learning at sub-lobular and causal network levels. Is&T Human Vision And Electronic Imaging . (Original work published 2021)
Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. N. (2021). Rapid reorganization of the cerebellum in memory visualization. Vision Sciences Society. (Original work published 2021)
Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C. (2020). Rapid training of supramodal spatial cognition and memory for improved navigation in low vision and blindness. Arvo Issue Abstract 2020, Vol. 61. ARVO 2020. Retrieved de https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2766791&resultClick=1 (Original work published 2020)
Likova, L. T., Nicholas, S. C., & Tyler, C. W. (2019). Top-down control of spatial memory visualization in early visual cortex. Retrieved de VSS, Fl
Likova, L. T. (2019). Enhancement of spatial cognition and brain connectivity in people with low vision and blindness. Retrieved de ARVO, Vancouver, Ca
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 de ECVP, Leuven
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 de SfN
Likova, L. T. (2018). Spatiomotor and memory training through drawing in the blind. Retrieved de Southern China Normal University
Likova, L. T. (2018). Brain plasticity and art. Retrieved de Guangzhou Technology Institute
Likova, L. T. (2018). Rapid switches of handedness in late adulthood: Neuroplasticity driven by drawing training. Retrieved de Human Vision and Electronic Imaging, Burlingame, Ca

Other Publications

Likova, L. T. (2018). Cognitive-Kinesthetic Method: Hands-on demonstration with trainers and educators for the blind. Retrieved de Satellite Symposium, Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Reno. July, 2018.
Likova, L. T. (2018). Memory drawing and learning in the class room. Retrieved de Southern China Normal University, Guangzhou
Likova, L. T. (2016). Rehabilitation training and brain plasticity in blindness: non-visual drawing, spatial cognition enhancement and transfer of training effects. Retrieved de Envision Research Institute, Wichita, Kansas, USA, July 2016.
Likova, L. T. (2016). Keynote address at the Ciancia Festschrift meeting in Buenos Aires. Retrieved de The XI Reunión de los Discípulos del Dr. Ciancia, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Likova, L. T. (2016). Key results from the reported research and their impact for the blind and low vision community. Retrieved de National State of the Science of Blindness Rehabilitation, Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, 2016
Likova, L. T. (2016). Art training and the brain: brain plasticity and blindness rehabilitation. Retrieved de 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 de NEA, NSF & Inter agency Task Force on the Arts and Human Development
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. 10.5772/58274
Likova, L. T. (1986). Patent.
Likova, L. T. (1985). Patent.

Projects

Active

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.

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.

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

The purpose of this grant is to identify the mechanisms responsible for generating photophobia in patients who have suffered mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Currently, estimates indicate that this painful condition persists in about 60% of those who suffered from blast-related traumatic brain injury and 30% of those who suffered non-blast-related concussive injuries.

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

This Science of Learning Collaborative Network brings together researchers and experts from the Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, University of Bamberg (Germany), Columbia University and Emory University to investigate how the visual art of drawing can enhance learning. Underlying learning principles and neural mechanisms will be considered, and how these can be harnessed for real-life learning enhancement. Though humans have been drawing for at least 30,000 years, little is understood about brain processes involved in this activity.

Completed

Learning in the Sighted and the Blind through Different Sensory Modalities: Structure and Dynamics of Cortical Reorganization

This project focuses on the emerging area of the neuroscience of art learning. It addresses the important issue of how the brain learns complex skills, specifically the process of drawing, through two different sensory modalities. Visual art, and drawing in particular, engages an orchestrated system of cognitive elements extending beyond mere visual perception. This brain system involves an array of cross-cognitive interactions for advanced learning in diverse sensory environments. However, there is a lack of systematic studies of the neural mechanisms of learning in visual art, or of the…

Centers

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 connectivity, Granger-causal connectivity, DTI, DTI tractography, whole-head EEG, EEG functional connectivity, ERG, EEG eye tracking, electroblepharography, etc. Our work centers on human visual neuroscience and computational vision, especially in the areas of human visual processing in adults, of the diagnosis of eye diseases and cortical deficits in infants and adults, on brain plasticity in relation…

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