Visual Adaptation for Visual Snow

(VPVSS Trial)

Overseen By Hannah Moser, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Disqualifiers: Substance dependence, CNS disease, head injury, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand the brain activity that causes Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS), a condition where people see static or snow-like dots in their vision. Researchers seek to determine if this syndrome links to specific brain pathways and pinpoint where this activity occurs in the brain. Participants will undergo visual tests and MRI scans to address these questions. The study will explore the concept of Visual Adaptation, which may play a role in VSS. Individuals with VSS who have had the condition for over three months and live near the study site in Minnesota might be suitable for the trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to a better understanding and treatment of VSS.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does exclude participants with current substance dependence or recent hallucinogenic substance use.

What prior data suggests that this method is safe for participants?

Research shows that visual adaptation might help people with Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS). Studies have found that getting used to visual noise can temporarily lessen the symptoms of visual snow for many people. In some cases, with extended adaptation, the symptoms even disappeared.

Sources report no specific side effects or negative reactions related to visual adaptation, suggesting that the treatment is likely easy to tolerate. The study focuses on understanding brain activity linked to VSS and uses non-invasive tests and MRI scans, making it safe for participants.

Overall, visual adaptation appears to be a safe option for managing visual snow symptoms. Always consult a healthcare provider before deciding to join any clinical trials. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Visual Adaptation for Visual Snow Syndrome because it offers a new approach to managing this condition. Unlike traditional treatments like medications or lifestyle changes, which aim to manage symptoms, Visual Adaptation focuses on retraining the brain's visual processing. This method could potentially address the root cause of the syndrome rather than just alleviating symptoms. By targeting the way the brain interprets visual information, it holds promise for providing more lasting relief for individuals with Visual Snow.

What evidence suggests that visual adaptation could be effective for Visual Snow Syndrome?

This trial will compare the effects of visual adaptation on people with Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) to a control group. Research has shown that adapting to visual patterns can reduce the severity of symptoms in people with VSS. In some studies, adapting to visual noise nearly eliminated visual snow for most participants over time. Specifically, one study found that 27 participants experienced a reduction of at least half in both the frequency and intensity of their visual snow symptoms. These findings suggest that visual adaptation could be a promising method for managing VSS symptoms, although further research is needed to fully understand its potential. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michael-Paul Schallmo, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Stephen A Engel, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology

Michael S Lee, M.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Minnesota, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences

Abby Metzler, M.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Minnesota, Department of Neurology

Malgorzata Marjanska, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Minnesota, Department of Radiology

Carrie E Robertson, M.D.

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Department of Neurology

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS), those experiencing postprandial fullness or migraines, and healthy volunteers. Participants should be able to undergo MRI scans and complete various assessments and questionnaires related to visual and mental symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

People with Visual Snow Syndrome: Normal (20/25 or better in each eye) or corrected-to-normal vision (MR-compatible glasses will be provided as needed)

People with Visual Snow Syndrome: Ability to comply with study instructions

People with Visual Snow Syndrome: Individuals living in Minnesota within 2 hours of the study site

Exclusion Criteria

Non-snow Controls: A diagnosed or self-reported intellectual disability

Non-snow Controls: Current psychotic episode

People with Visual Snow Syndrome: Not being fluent in English or another language for which interpretation/translation services are available

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Assessment

Participants undergo assessments and questionnaires to understand visual and mental symptoms, cognitive, and sensory function

1-2 hours per session, across multiple sessions

3 visits (in-person)

Visual Judgement and MRI

Participants make visual judgements based on images and undergo MRI scanning

1.5-2 hours per session, across multiple sessions

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after assessments

1-2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Visual Adaptation

Trial Overview The study investigates brain function in VSS by using visual adaptation tasks, cognitive assessments, fMRI, and MRS. It aims to pinpoint where in the brain VSS activity originates and how it contributes to the syndrome.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: People with Visual Snow Syndrome Active Control 4 Interventions

Group II: Non-snow Controls Placebo Group 4 Interventions

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Minnesota

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,459

Recruited

1,623,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

Mayo Clinic

Collaborator

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

National Eye Institute (NEI)

Collaborator

Trials

572

Recruited

1,320,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10741153/

Adapting to Visual Noise Alleviates Visual Snow - PMC Results. Visual snow was temporarily reduced in strength to the point that it was invisible at longer adaptation durations for most observers.

2. aao.org aao.org/eyenet/article/adapting-to-visual-noise-alleviates-visual-snow

Adapting to Visual Noise Alleviates Visual Snow The results demonstrated that visual snow was reduced temporarily and, for most participants, became invisible with longer adaptations.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11064904/

Visual snow syndrome: recent advances in understanding ... Twenty-seven participants reported a lowering of at least 50% in frequency and intensity of visual snow. Using chromatic filter combined with ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06961864

Investigating Brain Function in People With and Without ... The goal of this study is to learn more about the brain pathways and activity involved in creating Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS).

5. visualsnowinitiative.org visualsnowinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Visual-Snow-Research-New-Article-Visual-Snow-Initiative-2.pdf

Visual Snow is Susceptible to the Motion Aftereffect For people with visual snow, the visual field is covered in faint flickering specks. Visual snow remains poorly understood and lacks effective treatments.

6. en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_snow_syndrome

Visual snow syndrome Visual snow syndrome (VSS) is an uncommon neurological condition in which the primary symptom is persistent flickering white, black, transparent, ...

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41433-024-03059-4

How do I recognise and manage visual snow syndrome? The best data were available for lamotrigine being effective in 8/36 (22%) cases, followed by topiramate being effective in 2/13 (15.4%) [32].