PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Rimmele, Johanna M.
AU  - Gudi-Mindermann, Helene
AU  - Nolte, Guido
AU  - Röder, Brigitte
AU  - Engel, Andreas K.
TI  - Working Memory Training Integrates Visual Cortex into Beta-Band Networks in Congenitally Blind Individuals
AID  - 10.1101/200121
DP  - 2017 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 200121
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/10/09/200121.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/10/09/200121.full
AB  - Congenitally blind individuals activate the visual cortex during non-visual tasks. Such crossmodal reorganization is likely associated with changes in large-scale functional connectivity, the spectral characteristics of which can be assessed by analysis of neural oscillations. To test visual cortical integration into working memory networks, we recorded magnetoencephalographic data from congenitally blind and sighted individuals during resting state as well as during a voice-based working memory task prior to and following working memory training with voices, or tactile stimuli or a training-control condition. Auditory training strengthened beta-band (17.5-22.5 Hz) connectivity (imaginary coherency) in the blind and theta-band (2.5-5 Hz) connectivity in the sighted during the task, suggesting different neural coupling mechanisms. In the sighted, theta-band connectivity increased between brain areas involved in auditory working memory (inferior frontal, superior temporal, insular cortex). In the blind, beta-band networks largely emerged during the training, and connectivity increased between brain areas involved in auditory working memory and the visual cortex. The prominent involvement of the right fusiform face area in this beta-band network suggests a task-specific integration of visual cortex. Our findings highlight large-scale interactions as a key mechanism of functional reorganization following congenital blindness, and provide new insights into the spectral characteristics of the mechanism.CRRcorrect rejection rateCscross-spectraFDRFalse discovery rateFFAfusiform face areafMRIfunctional magnetic resonance imaginghMT+/V5occipital-temporal-parietal junction (human correlate of macaque middle temporal visual area)HRhitrateIFGinferior frontal gyrusHSWBSHabituelle Subjektive Wohlbefindens SkalaIPCinferior parietal cortexIPGinferior parietal gyrusIPLinferior parietal lobeITIinter-trial intervalITLinferior temporal lobeLFPlocal field potentialMEGmagnetoencephalographyMFGmiddle frontal gyrusMNIMontreal Neurological InstituteMTGmiddle temporal gyrusPowpowerPSQ-20Perceived Stress QuestionnaireROIregions of interestSDstandard deviationSTGright superior temporal gyrusSTSanterior superior temporal sulcusVLMTVerbaler Lern-und Merkfähigkeitstest.