Effects of complete monocular deprivation in visuo-spatial memory

Brain Res Bull. 2008 Sep 30;77(2-3):112-6. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2008.05.009. Epub 2008 Jun 24.

Abstract

Monocular deprivation has been associated with both specific deficits and enhancements in visual perception and processing. In this study, performance on a visuo-spatial memory task was compared in congenitally monocular individuals and sighted control individuals viewing monocularly (i.e., patched) and binocularly. The task required the individuals to view and memorize a series of target locations on two-dimensional matrices. Overall, congenitally monocular individuals performed worse than sighted individuals (with a specific deficit in simultaneously maintaining distinct spatial representations in memory), indicating that the lack of binocular visual experience affects the way visual information is represented in visuo-spatial memory. No difference was observed between the monocular and binocular viewing control groups, suggesting that early monocular deprivation affects the development of cortical mechanisms mediating visuo-spatial cognition.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blindness / genetics
  • Blindness / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Vision, Binocular
  • Vision, Monocular / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*