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Eyes on the Brain

A neurobiologist explores the amazing capacity of the brain to rewire itself at any age

Trust
What Oliver Sacks Taught Me

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on January 23, 2024

A Personal Perspective: What do you do when your own observations contradict common beliefs or entrenched dogma?

A Personal Perspective: What do you do when your own observations contradict common beliefs or entrenched dogma?

Child Development
On Being a Subject of Oliver Sacks

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on May 13, 2015

: After I experienced a dramatic improvement in my vision, I was asked to participate in several scientific experiments. However, the investigator from whom I learned the most was Oliver Sacks.

: After I experienced a dramatic improvement in my vision, I was asked to participate in several scientific experiments. However, the investigator from whom I learned the most was Oliver Sacks.

Child Development
Changing Minds

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on April 24, 2015

Can a few hours of watching a 3D movie overcome a lifetime of deficient stereovision? Just how plastic is the adult brain?

Can a few hours of watching a 3D movie overcome a lifetime of deficient stereovision? Just how plastic is the adult brain?

Neuroscience
Vision, Space, and Thought

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on October 26, 2014

As I reread Rudolf Arnheim’s brilliant book, Visual Thinking, I wondered again how much our vision shapes our thinking. Anyone who has undergone a dramatic improvement in vision is in a special position to answer this question.

As I reread Rudolf Arnheim’s brilliant book, Visual Thinking, I wondered again how much our vision shapes our thinking. Anyone who has undergone a dramatic improvement in vision is in a special position to answer this question.

Health
What Op Art Can Tell Us About Reading.

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on September 6, 2014

Why do some people hate to read? Op art paintings reveal the subtle fixational eye movements that may interfere with reading.

Why do some people hate to read? Op art paintings reveal the subtle fixational eye movements that may interfere with reading.

Identity
Before and After

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on June 22, 2014

Many forms of rehabilitation, including physical, occupational, speech, and vision therapy, address different aspects of a person’s brain injury. But what allows an individual to make a connection from the person he was before the injury to the person he is now?

Many forms of rehabilitation, including physical, occupational, speech, and vision therapy, address different aspects of a person’s brain injury. But what allows an individual to make a connection from the person he was before the injury to the person he is now?

Fear
Why Don't Young Babies Fear Heights?

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on May 21, 2014

Most mothers know that their babies, when they first learn to crawl, will crawl right off the changing table or even a stair landing. Why don’t young infants fear heights? This fearlessness is not due to a lack of depth perception but rather to the delayed development of an additional visual skill.

Most mothers know that their babies, when they first learn to crawl, will crawl right off the changing table or even a stair landing. Why don’t young infants fear heights? This fearlessness is not due to a lack of depth perception but rather to the delayed development of an additional visual skill.

Neuroscience
Visual Snow

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on January 27, 2014

Do you experience visual snow? It’s as if you are looking at the world through the static or “snow” on a TV set. I never see visual snow outside in bright light, but I think I do experience it when looking sometimes at a blank wall, especially in dim light. So, in the last two days, I’ve been experimenting with this phenomenon.

Do you experience visual snow? It’s as if you are looking at the world through the static or “snow” on a TV set. I never see visual snow outside in bright light, but I think I do experience it when looking sometimes at a blank wall, especially in dim light. So, in the last two days, I’ve been experimenting with this phenomenon.

Child Development
Keep Music in the Schools!

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on December 29, 2013

With limited financial resources, music programs are often cut in our schools Yet, scientific studies indicate that music training in the classroom may have important benefits for audition and speech perception, and these benefits last a lifetime.

With limited financial resources, music programs are often cut in our schools Yet, scientific studies indicate that music training in the classroom may have important benefits for audition and speech perception, and these benefits last a lifetime.

Therapy
When New Views Meet Old Assumptions

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on November 30, 2013

When, at age 48, I first began to see in 3D, I often felt like the child in “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” My vision told me something that conflicted with the common beliefs of the day.

When, at age 48, I first began to see in 3D, I often felt like the child in “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” My vision told me something that conflicted with the common beliefs of the day.

Child Development
David Hubel: A View of a Scientist

Susan R Barry Ph.D. on October 15, 2013

When I learned to see in 3D at age 48, despite having been cross-eyed since infancy, I thought the last person who would accept my story was Nobel laureate, David Hubel. But I was completely wrong.

When I learned to see in 3D at age 48, despite having been cross-eyed since infancy, I thought the last person who would accept my story was Nobel laureate, David Hubel. But I was completely wrong.