Improving vision after brain injury
Vision Improvement Through Behavioral Rehabilitation And Neuroplasticity Training
It tests whether gentle brain stimulation (transcranial random noise stimulation) plus visual training can help adults with homonymous hemianopia regain some of their lost visual field.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Georgetown University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Washington D.C., District of Columbia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07105358 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial uses a double-blind, within-subject crossover design in adults with homonymous hemianopia from post-chiasmatic brain damage. Participants receive sessions of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) paired with perceptual learning-based visual training and also receive sham stimulation in a separate period. Visual field measures and functional vision tasks are compared across the real and sham conditions to detect change. The design attempts to isolate the added effect of tRNS when combined with repeated training.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with unilateral or bilateral focal post-chiasmatic brain damage causing homonymous visual field loss who are at least three months post-stroke or TBI, or have a stable brain tumor within the past year.
Not a fit: People whose vision loss is caused primarily by eye (ocular) diseases, or who have severe unrelated CNS or unstable psychiatric conditions or recent substance abuse, are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could restore portions of the visual field and improve everyday visual functioning for affected patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small trials combining noninvasive brain stimulation (including tRNS or tDCS) with perceptual training have shown modest and variable improvements, so the approach is promising but remains experimental.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
A. Stroke, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury patients Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 18 years of age. 2. Capable of providing informed consent and complying with study procedures. 3. Unilateral or bilateral focal brain damage causing loss of vision. 4. At least three months post-stroke or traumatic brain injury, or a stable brain tumor within the past year. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Severe CNS diseases or disorders unrelated to the focal lesion, which could interfere with study results. 2. Severe mental health challenges that could interfere with study results, or current or recent (within the past 6 months) drug or alcohol abuse or addiction as defined by DSM-5. 3. Vision loss resulting from ocular disease or disorder. B. Healthy volunteers (age-matched controls): Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 18 years of age. 2. Capable of providing informed consent and complying with study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Any CNS diseases or psychiatric disorders (e.g., epilepsy, schizophrenia) that would interfere with study results. 2. Previous head injury. 3. Present or past (within past 6 months) drug or alcohol abuse or addiction based on DSM-5.
Where this trial is running
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
- Georgetown University Medical Center — Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Tina Liu, PhD
- Email: tina.liu@georgetown.edu
- Phone: 2027849920
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.