by Despite the human visual system’s advanced color processing capabilities, the brain demonstrates remarkable proficiency in recognizing objects from black-and-white images. A recent study conducted by researchers at MIT sheds light on the possible reasons behind this intriguing ability.
The researchers, including Marin Vogelsang, Lukas Vogelsang, Priti Gupta, Sidney Diamond, and Pawan Sinha, employed experimental data and computational modeling to explore the origins of this skill. Their findings, published in Science, suggest that the brain’s aptitude for recognizing both color and color-degraded images may be rooted in early development.
During infancy, when newborns are exposed to limited color information, the brain learns to distinguish objects based on their luminance, or the intensity of light they emit. As the retina and cortex mature and become better equipped to process colors, the brain incorporates color information but retains its previously acquired ability to recognize images without relying heavily on color cues. Advances in brain health devices are enhancing our understanding of these developmental processes, offering new insights into how the brain adapts and learns from early sensory experiences.
This research aligns with previous studies indicating that initial exposure to degraded sensory input can foster the development of perceptual systems. Pawan Sinha, a professor of brain and cognitive sciences at MIT and the senior author of the study, explains that this concept extends beyond color vision and visual acuity.
“Our lab’s work in the context of audition also suggests that there’s something important about placing limits on the richness of information that the neonatal system is initially exposed to,” Sinha said.
The study’s findings also help explain why children who regain their sight after being born blind have greater difficulty recognizing objects in black and white. These children, who receive an abundance of color information once their vision is restored, may develop an overreliance on color, making them less adaptable to changes or the absence of color information.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
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