AUTHOR=Ilic Katarina , Bertani Rita , Lapteva Neda , Drakatos Panagis , Delogu Alessio , Raheel Kausar , Soteriou Matthew , Mutti Carlotta , Steier Joerg , Carmichael David W. , Goadsby Peter J. , Ockelford Adam , Rosenzweig Ivana 

TITLE=Visuo-spatial imagery in dreams of congenitally and early blind: a systematic review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 17 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2023.1204129

DOI=10.3389/fnint.2023.1204129

ISSN=1662-5145

ABSTRACT=The presence of visual imagery in dreams of congenitally blind people has long been a matter of substantial controversy. We set to systematically review body of published work on the presence and nature of oneiric visuo-spatial impressions in congenitally and early blind subjects across different areas of research, from experimental psychology, functional neuroimaging, sensory substitution, and sleep research.Methods: Relevant studies were identified using the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsychINFO.Results: Studies using diverse imaging techniques and sensory substitution devices broadly suggest that the "blind" occipital cortex may be able to integrate non-visual sensory inputs, and thus possibly also generate visuo-spatial impressions. Visual impressions have also been reported by blind subjects who had near-death or out-of-body experiences.: Deciphering the mechanistic nature of these visual impression could open new possibility in utilisation of neuroplasticity and its potential role for treatment of neurodisability.