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Research Shows How Deaf Cats' Brains Re-Purpose Auditory Centers

Posted by Soulskill on from the heard-that dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Deaf or blind people often report enhanced abilities in their remaining senses, but up until now, no one has explained how and why that could be. Researchers at the University of Western Ontario, led by Stephen Lomber of The Centre for Brain and Mind, have discovered there is a causal link between enhanced visual abilities and reorganization of the part of the brain that usually handles auditory input in congenitally deaf cats. The findings, published online in Nature Neuroscience, provide insight into the plasticity that may occur in the brains of deaf people."

10 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. That's good news for deaf cats by MrEricSir · · Score: 3, Funny

    Because getting a hearing aid to fit in a cat's ear would be rather difficult.

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
  2. Ahh yes, by gandhi_2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    The rare intersection of cats, disabilities, abilities, and jokes:

    What has 9 arms, and ROCKS?

    --
    THL phish sticks
    1. Re:Ahh yes, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      If only they had studied Deaf Leopards... so much easier to make jokes.

  3. Re:My cat isn't deaf by MobileTatsu-NJG · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't think my cat uses hearing to detect an opened can of food. I did an experiment once where he was on the ground floor and at the opposite end. I carefully and quietly opened the can and *PifF* he teleported into the room, right by the bowl. I don't know how they do that.

    --

    "I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)

  4. Re:that's not nice by cpscotti · · Score: 2, Funny

    Will the brain switch to IPv6?

  5. I can haz xray vizion??? by jolyonr · · Score: 1, Funny

    kthxbi

    --


    Please read my Canon EOS tech blog at http://www.everyothershot.com
  6. Re: that's not nice by Walt+Dismal · · Score: 2, Funny
    And: how does the brain deal with trolls?

    BTW, when I drink too much, I get terrible ping floods the next morning,

  7. Re:My cat isn't deaf by falsified · · Score: 4, Funny

    Turn on a vacuum cleaner.

    If you have to peel the cat out from underneath your bed ten seconds later, then it is not deaf.

    --
    HI, MY NAME IS ISAAC.
  8. Welcome by captain_dope_pants · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one welcome our deaf cat overlords.

    I said "I welcome you"

    I WELCOME YOU DEAF CATS!

    --
    while (true != false) process_more_stupid_code();
  9. Re:Up Until Now? by ShakaUVM · · Score: 2, Funny

    Hmm, I doubt the /. er girlfriends would allow it.