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Factors in Learning And Plasticity: Macular Degeneration
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
A greater understanding of plasticity after central vision loss can inform new therapies for treating low vision and has the potential to benefit millions of individuals suffering from low vision. The treatment of low vision is particularly relevant to the mission of the NEI to support research on visual disorders, mechanisms of visual function, and preservation of sight. The comparison of different training and outcome factors is in line with the NIMH RDOC framework and studies in an aging population are consistent with the mission of the NIA.
Official title: Characterization of Multiple Factors in Training and Plasticity in Central Vision Loss: Macular Degeneration
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 89 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2022-11-01
Completion Date
2026-11
Last Updated
2026-02-09
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Training visual sensitivity
Investigators adopt a standard PL approach to train early visual processes of discriminating the orientation of Gabor patches presented at threshold contrast. Across training blocks, Gabors will range in spatial frequency, where contrast is adapted with a 3/1 staircase. Whenever a specific contrast threshold is reached, spatial frequency will increase by 2 cycles per degree and contrast will be reset. Preliminary data from this method in normally seeing and MD participants show both feasibility and tentative evidence that this training gives rise to improvements in acuity.
Combination training
Daily tasks involve a combination of being sensitive to basic visual features, being able to integrate these features, and directing attention and eye movements to better evaluate the information of potential interest. To address this integrative nature of real-world vision, this condition combines elements of training visual sensitivity, spatial integration, and spatial attention.
Locations (1)
UAB
Birmingham, Alabama, United States