How childhood maltreatment affects vision in adulthood
Transgenerational Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Structural/Functional Properties of Visual Cortex
This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood might affect the brain's ability to adjust to vision problems, like macular degeneration, and it's for people who have faced childhood maltreatment to see how their visual processing might be different from others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mclean Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Belmont, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10894780 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the long-term effects of childhood maltreatment on the visual cortex, particularly how it may influence the brain's ability to adapt to visual impairments like macular degeneration. By examining brain plasticity, the study aims to understand how the visual cortex can reorganize itself to compensate for lost central vision. Patients with a history of childhood maltreatment may be assessed to see how their visual processing differs from those without such experiences. The research employs advanced imaging techniques to observe changes in brain structure and function over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 who have experienced childhood maltreatment and are currently dealing with visual impairments.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced childhood maltreatment or do not have visual impairments may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for improving vision in individuals affected by childhood maltreatment and visual impairments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain plasticity related to visual processing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Belmont, United States
- Mclean Hospital — Belmont, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fleming, Leland — Mclean Hospital
- Study coordinator: Fleming, Leland
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 below.