Exploring how multisensory training can help recover vision in blind areas after brain injury
Official title: Mechanisms of multisensory rehabilitation in a primate model of hemianopia
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11045046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how using both sight and sound together can help people with hemianopia, a condition that makes it hard to see on one side, to improve their vision after a stroke or injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $539,498 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035409-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a stroke or trauma resulting in hemianopia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with hemianopia due to causes unrelated to brain injury or those with irreversible visual impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how combining visual and auditory cues can aid in the rehabilitation of patients suffering from hemianopia, a condition often caused by stroke or trauma that results in blindness in one half of the visual field. Using a primate model, the study aims to assess the effectiveness of a novel sensory training approach that engages brain plasticity to improve visual awareness and functionality. The methodology involves repeated exposure to synchronized visual and auditory stimuli, which has shown promising results in preliminary studies with both animals and humans. The ultimate goal is to better understand the potential for recovery of visual capabilities in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new rehabilitation strategies that significantly improve the quality of life for patients with hemianopia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar multisensory rehabilitation approaches in both animal models and a small number of human cases, indicating potential for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stanford, Terrence R — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Stanford, Terrence R
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.