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April 5, 2026Neuroimage ReportsOpen Access

Cross-modal plasticity in a blind jazz pianist and prodigy

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Authors

KBKaren Chan BarrettCGChetan GiduturiNJNicole T. Jiam

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Overview

Case study demonstrating neural adaptations in a blind jazz pianist, revealing significant cross-modal plasticity.

Key Points

  • Examine how cortical plasticity supports musical expertise in a blind jazz pianist.
  • Case study of Matthew Whitaker, a blind jazz pianist.
  • Functional MRI used to assess neural activity during music perception and improvisation.
  • Internal controls contrasted experimental conditions with matched control tasks.
  • Occipital visual regions recruited during music perception.
  • Fusiform face areas engaged during proprioceptive navigation of the keyboard.
  • Improvisation showed coordinated activation and deactivation across frontal and occipital regions.

Cite This Study

Barrett et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d1fde4a79560c99a0a43e7https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynirp.2026.100341
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Brain mechanisms of jazz improvisation2025
  2. 2MUSIC PERCEPTION IN BLIND STUDENTS: COGNITIVE, INTONATIONAL AND NEUROPLASTIC FOUNDATIONS OF ARTISTIC THINKING2026
  3. 3Creativity in Music: The Brain Dynamics of Jazz Improvisation2025 · 2 citations
  4. 4Jazz Piano Training Modulates Neural Oscillations and Executive Functions in Older Adults2024 · 4 citations
  5. 5Plasticity in language and sensory processing: Age-related patterns of intrinsic functional architecture in congenital blindness2026