Sensory Substitution and Brain Plasticity Following Vision Loss
ConditionBlindness
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age8-85
SponsorStanford University
About this trial
The goal of this clinical investigation is to learn how the brain responds when visual information is converted into patterns of sound or touch in blind and sighted participants. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does converting visual information into sound or touch patterns change visual performance in the blind or blindfolded? * How does the brain adapt to different kinds of sensory information?
Researchers will use brain imaging and simple performance tasks to see how people process and learn from this type of converted sensory input. The investigators will compare how individuals with and without long-term vision loss respond to these signals.
Participants will:
* Learn to use technologies to assist in visual information conversion into sound or touch patterns every day for 5 weeks; * Visit the brain imaging center 3 times for brain scans and behavioral tests.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
8-85 years old for blind individuals; or 18-85 years old for sighted controls.
(a) Blind due to ocular impairment (documented visual acuity of light perception or worse) in both eyes, or (b) sighted healthy adult controls with corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better and with no known vision disorders.
Able to hear the Informed Consent Form being read out to him or her, to understand it, and sign the Informed Consent Form.
Able to undergo functional neuroimaging tests.
Disqualifiers
Prior use with the sensory substitution device under investigation. This applies to both the auditory and tactile stimulators.
Presence of any foreign metal in the body, except for dental fillings (will need to be pre-screened by a radiologist prior to signing the informed consent and enrollment).
Pregnant or breastfeeding by self-report or urine test.
Is a prisoner or has any required movements legally restricted.
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Electrotactile display (BrainPort)
- Vision-to-sound converter (AI Sight)
- Sham
Treatment groups
200 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groupsSponsors and collaborators
Stanford University
Lead sponsor
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov