A facinating new study found that when "they kept adult mice in complete darkness for one week, the animals’ ability to hear significantly improved. What’s more, when they examined the animals’ brains, the researchers detected changes in the connections among neurons in the part of the brain where sound is processed, the auditory cortex."
"At least in mice, it appears that the brain responds to sensory loss by swiftly reallocating connections among the remaining senses, perhaps providing the animals a better chance at survival. This could mean that someday people with hearing loss, or other sensory disorders, may be able to selectively rewire their brains."
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