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.
Tabs
Journal Articles
. (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 .
. (2022). Editorial: Special Issue on Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions. Journal Of Perceptual Imaging.
. (2022). Brain trauma impacts retinal processing: photoreceptor pathway interactions in traumatic light sensitivity. Documenta Ophthalmologica, 144, 1–12. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.1007/s10633-022-09871-1
. (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. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.810780
. (2021). Neuroplasticity and Crossmodal Connectivity in the Normal, Healthy Brain. Psychology & Neuroscience.
. (2021). Mental visualization in the cerebellum: Rapid non-motor learning at sub-lobular and causal network levels. Frontiers In Systems Neuroscience. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2021.655514
. (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.
. (2020). Differences in the major fiber-tracts of people with congenital and acquired blindness. Imaging Science & Technology / Human Vision And Electronic Imaging 2020. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2020.11.HVEI-366
. (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
. (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
. (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
. (2018). Fiber-tract differences in people with congenital and acquired blindness. Journal Of Vision, (18(10).
. (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
. (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
. (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
. (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
. (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
. (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
. (June 24 2016). Anticlockwise or Clockwise? A Dynamic Perception-Action-Laterality Model for Directionality Bias in Visuospatial Functioning. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. http://doi.org/DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.032 PMID: 27350096 PMCID: PMC5003653
. (2016). The Cortical Network for Braille Writing in the Blind. Electronic Imaging, 2016, 1–6. http://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2016.16.HVEI-095 PMID: 28890944 PMCID: PMC5589194
. (Aug 31 2016). Fundamental anti-symmetries in the brain organization of conceptual knowledge representation help resolve long-standing controversies. Journal Of Vision., (16(12).
. (2016). Editorial:“Neural signal estimation in the human brain”. Frontiers In Neuroscience, 10, 185. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00185 PMID: 27199647 PMCID: PMC4850329
. (Apr 12 2016). Tactile object familiarity in the blind brain reveals the supramodal perceptual-mnemonic nature of the perirhinal cortex. Frontiers In Human Neuroscience, 10, 92. http://doi.org/ 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00092 PMID: 27148002 PMCID: PMC4828456
. (2016). Neural Signal Estimation in the Human Brain. Frontiers In Neuroscience, (979). http://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00185
. (2016). The role of the perirhinal cortex in tactile perception and memory in the blind. Journal Of Vision, 16(12).
. (Apr 10 2015). Temporal evolution of brain reorganization under cross-modal training: insights into the functional architecture of encoding and retrieval networks. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging. Retrieved from http://doi.org/ 10.1117/12.2178069
. (2015). Analysis of Neural-BOLD Coupling Through Four Models of the Neural Metabolic Demand. Frontiers In Neuroscience, 9. http://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2015.00419
. (2015). Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury for Human Vergence Dynamics. Frontiers In Neurology, 5. http://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00282
. (2015). Deficits in the activation of human oculomotor nuclei in chronic traumatic brain injury. Frontiers In Neurology, 6(173), 9. http://doi.org/doi: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00173
. (2015). Effect of familiarity on Braille writing and reading in the blind: From graphemes to comprehension. Journal Of Vision, 15, 920–920. http://doi.org/10.1167/15.12.920
. (2014). Learning-Based Cross-Modal Plasticity in the Human Brain: Insights from Visual Deprivation fMRI. Advanced Brain Neuroimaging Topics In Health And Disease-Methods And Applications, 327–358. http://doi.org/10.5772/58263
. (Jan 2013). A cross-modal perspective on the relationships between imagery and working memory. Frontier In Psyhology , 3. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00561
. (2012). 3D discomfort from vertical and torsional disparities in natural images. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1117/12.915466
. (2012). Analysis of human vergence dynamics. Journal Of Vision, 12(11)(21), 1-19. http://doi.org/10.1167/12.11.21
. (2012). Drawing enhances cross-modal memory plasticity in the human brain: a case study in a totally blind adult. Front. Hum. Neurosci, 6, 3389. http://doi.org/ 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00044
. (2012). The role of the visual arts in enhancing the learning process. Frontiers In Human Neuroscience, 6. http://doi.org/ 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00008
. (2012). The spatiotopic'visual'cortex of the blind. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1117/12.912257
. (2011). Estimating neural signal dynamics in the human brain. Frontiers In Systems Neuroscience, 5. http://doi.org/ 10.3389/fnsys.2011.00033
. (2010). The primary visual cortex as a modality-independent ‘screen’ for working memory. Journal Of Vision, 10(7). http://doi.org/10.1167/10.7.776
. (2010). An Algebra for the Analysis of Object Encoding. Neuroimage, 50, 1243–1250. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.10.091
. (2010). Drawing in the blind and the sighted as a probe of cortical reorganization. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging Xv. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1117/12.849116
. (2008). Occipital network for figure/ground organization. Experimental Brain Research, 189, 257–267. http://doi.org/ 10.1007/s00221-008-1417-6
. (2007). Crowding: A neuro-analytic approach. Journal Of Vision, Http:// Journalofvision.org/7/2/16/ , 7(2)(16). http://doi.org/10.1167/7.2.16
. (2007). Instantaneous stimulus paradigm: cortical network and dynamics of figure-ground organization. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging Xii, 64921E. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1117/12.707556
. (2007). Stereomotion processing in the human occipital cortex. Neuroimage, 38, 293–305. http://doi.org/org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.06.039
. (2006). The specificity of cortical region KO to depth structure. Neuroimage, 30, 228–238. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2005.09.067
. (2005). Extended concepts of occipital retinotopy. Current Medical Imaging Reviews, 1, 319–329. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157340505774574772
. (2005). Transient-based image segmentation: top-down surround suppression in human V1. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1117/12.610865
. (2004). Is the hMT+/V5 complex in the human brain involved in stereomotion perception? An fMRI study. Electronic Imaging 2004. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.568026
. (2004). Predominantly extra-retinotopic cortical response to pattern symmetry. Neuroimage, 24, 306–314. http://doi.org/doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2004.09.018
. (2003). Failure of stereomotion capture in an object disappearance paradigm. Is&T/Spie Electronic Imaging. Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1117/12.485517
. (2003). Peak localization of sparsely sampled luminance patterns is based on interpolated 3D surface representation. Vision Research, 43, 2649–2657. http://doi.org/org/10.1016/S0042-6989(02)00575-8
. (2003). Spatiotemporal relationships in a dynamic scene: stereomotion induction and suppression. Journal Of Vision, 3. http://doi.org/10.1167/3.4.5
. (2000). EEG frequency dynamics during movements imagery. Acta Physiologica Et Pharmacologica Bulgarica, 26, 115–118.
. (2000). The discrimination of abrupt changes in speed and direction of visual motion. Vision Research, 40, 409–415. http://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/S0042-6989(99)00185-6
. Perception and Appreciation of Tactile Objects: The Role of Visual Experience and Texture Parameters. Jpi Special Issue On Multisensory And Crossmodal Interactions. Editors: Likova, L.t., Jiang, F., Stilles, N., Tanguay, A.r.
Conference Papers
. (2021). Multipurpose spatiomotor capture system for haptic and visual training and testing in the blind and the sighted. In IS&T Human Vision and Electronic Imaging Proceedings.
. (2020). Face perception as a multisensory process. In Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions, at IS&T HVEI. Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions, at IS&T HVEI: Burlingame, California. Retrieved from https://www.imaging.org/site/IST/Conferences/EI/EI_2020/Conference/C_HVEI.aspx
Presentations/Posters
. (2021). Cerebellum vs. cerebrum in memory visualization: Rapid cognitive learning at sub-lobular and causal network levels. IS&T Human Vision and Electronic Imaging .
. (2021). Rapid reorganization of the cerebellum in memory visualization. Vision Sciences Society.
. (2020). Rapid training of supramodal spatial cognition and memory for improved navigation in low vision and blindness. ARVO Issue abstract 2020. ARVO 2020. Retrieved from https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2766791&resultClick=1
. (2019). Is the face schema innate? Evidence from learning faces in the congenital blind. Retrieved from SfN
. (2019). Top-down control of spatial memory visualization in early visual cortex. Retrieved from VSS, Fl
. (2019). Your brain on memory drawing. Retrieved from VSAC, Leuven (to be presented)
. (2018). Brain plasticity and art. Retrieved from Guangzhou Technology Institute
. (2018). Fiber-tract differences in people with congenital and acquired blindness. http://doi.org/10.1167/18.10.543
. (2018). Memory Visualization and spatial learning. Retrieved from Nano-symposium at SfN
. (2018). Spatiomotor and memory training through drawing in the blind. Retrieved from Southern China Normal University
. (2017). Top-down working memory reorganization of the primary visual cortex: Granger Causality analysis. http://doi.org/10.1167/17.10.594
. (2016). High-order multisensory mechanisms: Insights from Braille writing and reading. Retrieved from IS&T Int Symp Electron Imaging
. (2015). Harnessing the power of drawing to drive brain plasticity. Retrieved from Live Webinar on my work on blindness rehabilitation through the Cognitive-Kinesthetic Drawing training, National Endowment for the Arts, National Science Foundation & Inter agency Task Force on the Arts and Human Development. Washington, DC.
. Face perception as a multisensory process. Date Published 2020, “Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions” symposium, EI/HVEI: Burlingame, California. Retrieved from https://www.imaging.org/site/IST/Conferences/EI/EI_2020/Conference/C_HVEI.aspx
. Rapid training of supramodal spatial cognition and memory for improved navigation in low vision and blindness. Investigative Ophthalmology and Vision Science (iOVS). ARVO 2020. Retrieved from https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2766791
. Face perception as a multisensory process. Date Published 01/30/2020, Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions, at IS&T Human Vision and Electronic Imaging: Burlingame, California. Retrieved from https://www.imaging.org/site/IST/Conferences/EI/EI_2020/
. Face perception as a multisensory process. Date Published 01/2020, “Multisensory and Crossmodal Interactions” symposium, EI/HVEI: Burlingame, California. Retrieved from https://www.imaging.org/site/IST/Conferences/EI/EI_2020/
Other Publications
. (2018). Memory drawing and learning in the class room. Retrieved from Southern China Normal University, Guangzhou
. (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
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 to low vision and blindness, and on the processes of blindness rehabilitation. We are particularly interested in the normal capabilities of binocular visual processing and its disruption by forms of traumatic brain injury.
Active
Active
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.
Active
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.
Active
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.
Active
Spectral ERG analysis of hypersensitivity to light in traumatic brain injury
The purpose of this research study is to use the spectral electroretinogram (ERG) to deteremine how the retinal mechanisms of sufferers from abnormal light sensitivity due to head injury differ from those without abnormal light sensitivity.
Completed
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...
Completed
Human Oculomotor Functions & Their Deficits in Traumatic Brain Injury
Recent studies have established that a high proportion of patients diagnosed with mild (or diffuse) traumatic brain injury (mTBI) exhibit binocular vision dysfunctions, particularly, deficiencies in the binocular coordination of eye movements.
Completed
Stereoscopic motion-in-depth perception: fMRI and neurophysiological studies
This project is designed to advance the integration of high field fMRI in alert macaque monkeys with "informed" neurophysiology, and to apply it in addressing a long-standing research question regarding the neural processing of stereoscopic 3-D motion.
Completed
Advanced Spatiomotor Rehabilitation in Blindness and Visual Impairment
We propose a multidisciplinary approach to effective spatiomotor rehabilitation in blindness and visual impairment. For those who have lost vision, the eye-hand coordination normally available for the manipulation of objects for everyday activities is unavailable and has to be replaced by information from other senses
Completed
Encoding of 3D Structure in the Visual Scene: A New Conceptualization
The multidisciplinary goal was to develop an integrated conceptualization of the mid-level encoding of 3D object structure from multiple surface cues
Contact Information
2318 Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
Room #
312328
Email:
lora@ski.org
Office Phone:
(415) 345-2066
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