Old brain, new tricks

New research on the blind is revealing the brain's ability to adapt -- and may lead to new therapies for everything from strokes to chronic pain

mind's eye A painting by Turkish artist Esref Armagan (left), blind since birth. Scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess have studied Armagan to see how his visual cortex functions when painting.

By Cara Feinberg

January 15, 2006

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ESREF ARMAGAN is a 52-year-old Turkish painter who has been blind in both eyes since the day he was born. He has never seen a coffee cup, a toothbrush, an elephant, or a tree-lined street, but he can draw them each, from any perspective, with or without shadows depending on the time of day. His portrait of President Clinton, which ... (Full article: 1725 words)