Visual percep­tual learn­ing after a transient phase of congen­i­tal blind­ness: Neural mecha­nisms of sight recovery

The project, led by Dr. Sebas­t­ian Frank (Univer­sity of Regens­burg), Prof. Dr. Brigitte Röder (Univer­sity of Hamburg) and Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Eberhart Zrenner (Univer­sity of Tübin­gen), is inves­ti­gat­ing the neural basis of vision recov­ery in people treated for congen­i­tal blind­ness. In collab­o­ra­tion with the LV Prasad Eye Insti­tute in India, the study is study­ing how visual learn­ing improves recov­ery. Using functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and electroen­cephalog­ra­phy (EEG), researchers are analysing neural excita­tion and inhibi­tion before and after treat­ment. The study includes cross-sectional and longi­tu­di­nal approaches, compar­ing people with differ­ent visual impair­ments. This research bridges neuro­science, psychol­ogy and ophthal­mol­ogy to uncover mecha­nisms of visual plastic­ity and improve rehabil­i­ta­tion strate­gies for visual impairment.

This project inves­ti­gates the neural mecha­nisms under­ly­ing vision recov­ery after congen­i­tal blind­ness, focus­ing on visual percep­tual learn­ing as a key factor in rehabil­i­ta­tion. Led by Dr. Sebas­t­ian Frank (Univer­sity of Regens­burg), Prof. Dr. Brigitte Röder (Univer­sity of Hamburg) and Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. Eberhart Zrenner (Univer­sity of Tübin­gen), the study is collab­o­rat­ing with the LV Prasad Eye Insti­tute in India to examine individ­u­als treated for congen­i­tal bilat­eral cataracts.

The research uses functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and electroen­cephalog­ra­phy (EEG) to measure neural excita­tion and inhibi­tion, in partic­u­lar the excitation/inhibition (E/I) ratio, in the visual cortex. By compar­ing treated individ­u­als with control groups, includ­ing those with devel­op­men­tal cataracts and infan­tile nystag­mus, the study aims to deter­mine how visual learn­ing reshapes neural pathways follow­ing vision restoration.

A cross-sectional study will assess percep­tual learn­ing in previ­ously blind individ­u­als by measur­ing neuro­trans­mit­ter levels before, during and after train­ing. A longi­tu­di­nal study will track neural and behav­ioural changes in patients under­go­ing cataract surgery, assess­ing plastic­ity over time.

The project integrates cogni­tive neuro­science, psychol­ogy and ophthal­mol­ogy, provid­ing insights into sensi­tive periods of neural devel­op­ment. Under­stand­ing the role of neural inhibi­tion in visual recov­ery could improve rehabil­i­ta­tion approaches for patients with visual impair­ment and contribute to person­alised treat­ments to restore functional vision.