Clinical Research Directory

Study of Visual Perception Phenomena: Phosphene Mapping Induced by TMS and Its Relationship With Eye Movements

The purpose of this basic science study is to better understand human visual perception. Phosphenes are flashes of light that can be induced using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The location of these phosphenes is known to change with eye movements, but the exact influence of these movements is not fully understood. The main questions this study aims to answer are: How does stimulating specific areas of the visual cortex relate to where a person perceives a phosphene? How do eye movements affect the accuracy of mapping these sensations? The study will enroll three groups of adults (aged 18-65): patients with Visual Snow Syndrome, color-blind participants, and healthy volunteers. During the experiment, participants will receive single-pulse TMS to their visual cortex. Simultaneously, their eye movements will be monitored with an eye-tracker, and their brain activity will be recorded with EEG. Participants will be asked to report the location of the perceived light flashes. This will help create a map of the brain areas responsible for visual sensations and clarify how eye movements influence this process.