Likova Lab: Brain Plasticity, Learning & Neurorehabilitation

Lora Likova

Likova Lab Director

Degrees: Ph.D.

My goal is to integrate multiple brain imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI) coupled with a unique motion-capture system, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tensor-based brain morphometry (TBM), and electroencephalography (EEG) to study neuroplasticity, brain mechanisms of art and learning, rehabilitation of blindness, memory and spatial cognition, vision deficits in TBI, and multimodal sensorimotor processing across levels of visual impairment.

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Previous Fellows

Tabs

Journal Articles

Likova, L. T., Mei, M., Mineff, K., & Nicholas, S.. (In Press). Learning face perception without vision: Inverse learning effect in congenital vs late-onset blindness. Imaging Science And Technology: Human Vision And Electronic Imaging.

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)

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

Karim, R., & Likova, L. T.. (2018). Tactile 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., & 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

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 (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

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (2017). Studying the Retinal Source of Photophobia by Facial Electroretinography. Optometry And Vision Science, 94(4). http://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0001064

Tyler, C. W., Howard, C., & Likova, L. T.. (2016). Neural Signal Estimation in the Human Brain. Frontiers In Neuroscience, (979). http://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00185 (Original work published 2016)

Cacciamani, L., & Likova, L. T.. (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

Tyler, C. W., Howarth, C., & Likova, L. T.. (2016). Editorial:“Neural signal estimation in the human brain”. Frontiers In Neuroscience, 10, 185. http://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2016.00185

Likova, L. T., Tyler, C. W., Cacciamani, L., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2016). The Cortical Network for Braille Writing in the Blind. Electronic Imaging, 2016, 1–6. http://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2016.16.HVEI-095

Karim, A. K. M. Rezaul, Proulx, M. J., & Likova, L. T.. (2016). Anticlockwise or Clockwise? A Dynamic Perception-Action-Laterality Model for Directionality Bias in Visuospatial Functioning. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.032

Tyler, C. W., Likova, L. T., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2015). Analysis of Neural-BOLD Coupling Through Four Models of the Neural Metabolic Demand. Frontiers In Neuroscience, 9. http://doi.org/doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00419.

Likova, L. T., Tyler, C. W., Cacciamani, L., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (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

Tyler, C. W., Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. N., Elsaid, A. M., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2015). Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury for Human Vergence Dynamics. Frontiers In Neurology, 5. http://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2014.00282

Tyler, C. W., Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (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

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Likova, L. T. (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

Likova, L. T. (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 (Original work published Jan 2013)

Likova, L. T. (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

Tyler, C. W., Elsaid, A. M., Likova, L. T., Gill, N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2012). Analysis of human vergence dynamics. Journal Of Vision, 12(11)(21), 1-19. http://doi.org/10.1167/12.11.21

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (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

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (2011). Estimating neural signal dynamics in the human brain. Frontiers In Systems Neuroscience, 5. http://doi.org/ 10.3389/fnsys.2011.00033

Likova, L. T. (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 (Original work published 2010)

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (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

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2008). Occipital network for figure/ground organization. Experimental Brain Research, 189, 257–267. http://doi.org/ 10.1007/s00221-008-1417-6

Tyler, C. W., & Likova, L. T.. (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

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2007). Stereomotion processing in the human occipital cortex. Neuroimage, 38, 293–305. http://doi.org/org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.06.039

Tyler, C. W., Likova, L. T., Kontsevich, L. L., & Wade, A. R.. (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

Tyler, C. W., Likova, L. T., Chen, C. C., Kontsevich, L. L., Schira, M. M., & Wade, A. R.. (2005). Extended concepts of occipital retinotopy. Current Medical Imaging Reviews, 1, 319–329. http://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157340505774574772

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (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 (Original work published 2004)

Tyler, C. W., Baseler, H. A., Kontsevich, L. L., Likova, L. T., Wade, A. R., & Wandell, B. A.. (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

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (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

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2003). Spatiotemporal relationships in a dynamic scene: stereomotion induction and suppression. Journal Of Vision, 3. http://doi.org/10.1167/3.4.5

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Mateeff, S., Dimitrov, G., Genova, B., Likova, L. T., Stefanova, M., & Hohnsbein, J.. (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

Popivanov, D., Likova, L. T., & Sauleva, Z.. (2000). EEG frequency dynamics during movements imagery. Acta Physiologica Et Pharmacologica Bulgarica, 26, 115–118.

Conference Papers

Likova, L. T. (2015). Temporal evolution of brain reorganization under cross-modal training: insights into the functional architecture of encoding and retrieval networks. In IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging. International Society for Optics and Photonics. http://doi.org/ 10.1117/12.2178069

Likova, L. T. (2012). The spatiotopic'visual'cortex of the blind. In IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging. International Society for Optics and Photonics. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.912257

Tyler, C. W., Likova, L. T., Atanassov, K., Ramachandra, V., & Goma, S.. (2012). 3D discomfort from vertical and torsional disparities in natural images. In IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging. International Society for Optics and Photonics. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.915466

Likova, L. T. (2010). Drawing in the blind and the sighted as a probe of cortical reorganization. In IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging XV. Human Vision and Electronic Imaging. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.849116 (Original work published 2010)

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2007). Instantaneous stimulus paradigm: cortical network and dynamics of figure-ground organization. In Electronic Imaging XII, 64921E. International Society for Optics and Photonics. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.707556 (Original work published 2007)

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2005). Transient-based image segmentation: top-down surround suppression in human V1. In Electronic Imaging 2005. Human Vision and Electronic Imaging. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.610865 (Original work published 2005)

Likova, L. T., & Tyler, C. W.. (2003). Failure of stereomotion capture in an object disappearance paradigm. In Human Vision and Electronic Imaging. http://doi.org/10.1117/12.485517

Presentations/Posters

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

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

Likova, L. T. (2017). Granger Causality analysis reveals the role of the hippocampal complex in the memory functions of primary visual cortex. Retrieved from European Conference on Visual Perception

Likova, L. T., Cacciamani, L., Nicholas, S., & Mineff, K.. (2017). Top-down working memory reorganization of the primary visual cortex: Granger Causality analysis. http://doi.org/10.1167/17.10.594

Likova, L. T. (2017). Art training matters: Enhancement of spatial cognition and brain connectivity .

Karim, R., & Likova, L. T.. (2017). Object understanding and cortical functional reorganization in the blind.

Cacciamani, L., & Likova, L. T.. (2016). Memory-guided drawing training increases Granger causal influences from the perirhinal cortex to V1 in the blind.

Tyler, C. W., Nicholas, S. C., & Likova, L. T.. (2016). Color components under joint recording from the human retina and cortex with a high-density electrode net.

Likova, L. T. (2016). Art, brain plasticity and rehabilitation training in blindness.

Likova, L. T., Mineff, K. N., & Nicholas, S. C.. (2016). Brain reorganization and performance correlates of a rapid switch in handedness induced by drawing training in a left-handed blind individual.

Karim, R., & Likova, L. T.. (2016). Aesthetic appreciation and perception of 3D shapes through the sense of touch in the blind and the sighted: on the properties of contour curvature and symmetry of 3D tactile shapes.

Likova, L. T. (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.

Other Publications

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

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

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Likova, L. T., Cacciamani, L., Nicholas, S. C., & Mineff, K. N.. (2017). Top-down working memory reorganization of the primary visual cortex: Granger Causality analysis. Retrieved from Jurnal of Vision