Assessing visual cortex in candidates for retinal prosthetics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing visual cortex in candidates for retinal prosthetics
IRAS ID
171426
Contact name
Heidi A. Baseler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 9 days
Research summary
Macular Degeneration (MD) is the leading cause of blindness in developed nations and currently has no cure. The disease causes damage to the retina of the eye, preventing visual information from reaching the brain, where sight ultimately occurs. A promising new treatment is under development to restore visual function by implanting an electronic chip in the eye (retinal prosthesis). However, when patients have lost vision for many years, the parts of the brain that no longer receive signals from the eye may take on a new role and process different information, or these brain parts may even degenerate. Therefore, the success of retinal implantation ultimately depends on whether the brain is still able to process visual information normally once signals from the eye are restored. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to take quantitative measures of brain structure and function before and after implantation, we will ask questions with both clinical and scientific impact: 1) Can we use neural measures in the brain before treatment to predict the success of retinal implants in restoring sight? 2) How does restoration of visual inputs affect brain structure and function? In answering these questions, we hope to contribute ultimately to the development of prognostic tools for determining the potential success of treatment with retinal prosthetics and also gain a better understanding of brain plasticity.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0092
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion