[blindkid] Fwd: research on cognitive development of children who are blind

[Carol Castellano]

Here is information on brain research being conducted at MIT.
Carol

Carol Castellano
Director of Programs
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
973-377-0976
carol_castellano at verizon.net
www.nopbc.org

>____________________________________
>
>Marina Bedny, Ph.D.
>Postdoctoral Fellow, Saxe Lab
>MIT Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
>Room 46-4021
>617-286-2341
><mailto:mbedny at mit.edu>mbedny at mit.edu
>
>Information about our research:
>
>We are conducting research studies at the MIT Department of Brain 
>and Cognitive Sciences on how the brain develops and functions in 
>children who are blind. Our studies examine the development of 
>language, perception, and social reasoning.
>
>Here are some specific questions we are currently working on: How 
>does the brain work in blind kids? Are parts of the brain that 
>sighted children use to see doing other things in children who are 
>blind? How do brain regions that support language and social 
>reasoning developing in blind children?
>
>During our studies children play a variety of fun games with 
>researchers. These games are played with computers, toys, props and 
>Braille books. Some of the games are played while children are in an 
>MRI scanner. By imaging the brain while children listen to stories 
>and sounds, we can discover how the brain makes language and 
>perception possible. We are fortunate to have access to new fMRI 
>technology that allows us to safely and noninvasively study 
>children's brains. During the study children have plenty of 
>opportunities to have snacks and relax in our playroom.
>link to website:
>
><http://kidsbrains.mit.edu/bkids.html>http://kidsbrains.mit.edu/bkids.html