Review of Research: Neuroscience and the Impact of Brain Plasticity on Braille Reading

Abstract

In this systematic review of research, the author analyzes studies of neural cortical activation, brain plasticity, and braille reading. The conclusions regarding the brain's plasticity and ability to reorganize are encouraging for individuals with degenerative eye conditions or late-onset blindness because they indicate that the brain can make new connections that have implications for braille reading, tactile perception, and instruction.

Does mathematics training lead to better logical thinking and reasoning? A cross-sectional assessment from students to professors

“…Do university mathematics courses become purely about domain-specific knowledge from this point on? Intensive training has been shown to impact the brain and cognition across a number of domains from music [34], to video gaming [35], to Braille reading [36]. The hypothesis that mathematics, with its highly specific practice, fits within this list remains legitimate, but simply unchartered.…”

Neuroplasticity and Braille Reading

“…This visual information travels through the optic nerve, optic chiasm and optic tract to the thalamus, more specifically to two lateral geniculate nuclei (lgN), one in each hemisphere of the brain. lgN are the information processing control centers where visual information is sorted into three brain areas: primary visual cortex (information about form, color, shape, dimension, orientation), superior colliculi (motion information) and pretectal area (photoreceptor information that helps regulate the circadian clock) 1 .…”

“…He states that isolating specific areas used for tactile perception during Braille reading movement is very difficult. The problem lays in brain scanning techniques that measure overall cortical activity and factors like number of fingers used, left or right hand use, and reading movement techniques 1 . somatosensory path receives information from the skin, which is the largest organ of the human body.…”

“…However, the subject in question reported reading for approximately six hours per day. That is something we have to keep in mind, as people learning new skills or those who have not practiced and trained this much will not have the same retention or return of the skill in question 1 .…”

“…When looking at the history of research about Braille reading, most researchers focused on reading achievement, reading rate, hand movement and dominance, learning media, reading process and assessment, tactile perception and contracted Braille versus uncontracted Braille reading. development of neuroscience and medical technologies has resulted in new research findings becoming ever more important for workers in the educational field 1 . Multidisciplinary approach brings new and better rehabilitation programs as they offer better understanding of brain processes after vision loss and reveal a range of potential recovery and/or development in individuals taking into account congenital, early-or late-onset vision loss.…”