Foecker, Julia, Best, A, Hölig, C and Röder, B (2012) The superiority in voice processing of the blind arises from neural plasticity at sensory processing stages. Neuropsychologia, 50 (8). pp. 2056-2067. ISSN 0028-3932
Full content URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
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Item Type: | Article |
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Item Status: | Live Archive |
Abstract
Blind people rely much more on voices compared to sighted individuals when identifying other people. Previous research has suggested a faster processing of auditory input in blind individuals than sighted controls and an enhanced activation of temporal cortical regions during voice processing. The present study used event-related potentials (ERPs) to single out the sub-processes of auditory person identification that change and allow for superior voice processing after congenital blindness. A priming paradigm was employed in which two successive voices (S1 and S2) of either the same (50% of the trials) or different actors were presented. Congenitally blind and matched sighted participants made an old-young decision on the S2. During the pre-experimental familiarization with the stimuli, congenitally blind individuals showed faster learning rates than sighted controls. Reaction times were shorter in person-congruent trials than in person-incongruent trials in both groups. ERPs to S2 stimuli in person-incongruent as compared to person-congruent trials were significantly enhanced at early processing stages (100-160 ms) in congenitally blind participants only. A later negative ERP effect (>200 ms) was found in both groups. The scalp topographies of the experimental effects were characterized by a central and parietal distribution in the sighted but a more posterior distribution in the congenitally blind. These results provide evidence for an improvement of early voice processing stages and a reorganization of the person identification system as a neural correlate of compensatory behavioral improvements following congenital blindness.
Additional Information: | The final published version of this article is available online at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028393212001972?via%3Dihub |
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Keywords: | congenitally blind, human voices, brain plasticity, person identification |
Subjects: | C Biological Sciences > C800 Psychology |
Divisions: | College of Social Science > School of Psychology |
ID Code: | 32880 |
Deposited On: | 09 Aug 2018 15:20 |
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