Sensory Substitution for Blindness

(SenSubMRI Trial)

Not yet recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Study Team

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Stanford University

Must not be taking: Neurological, Psychiatric

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Pacemakers, Claustrophobia, Obesity, Neurological disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of 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.

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kevin C. Chan, PhD

Principal Investigator

Stanford University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

Inclusion Criteria

Willing and able to complete tactile or auditory tasks

I am within the required age range for my vision status.

Able to understand and remember the training protocols

Exclusion Criteria

Obesity preventing MRI scanner placement

Documented or suspected brain damage resulting in significant cognitive or sensory impairment

I do not have any neurological disorders needing emergency care.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Participants learn to use technologies to assist in visual information conversion into sound or touch patterns

5 weeks

Daily training sessions

Brain Imaging and Testing

Participants visit the brain imaging center for brain scans and behavioral tests

5 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after training

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Vision Conversion to Sound or Touch

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Vision-to-touch sensory substitution training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will learn to interpret the touch patterns that are converted from visual information while using the assistive technology.

Group II: Vision-to-sound sensory substitution training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will learn to interpret the sound patterns that are converted from visual information while using the assistive technology.

Group III: Sham training Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will learn to interpret the sound/touch patterns verbally without presenting the sensory signals from the assistive technologies.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Stanford University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Collaborator

Trials

572

Recruited

1,320,000+