Visual perceptual training with patterned and natural images

Systematic Psychophysical Investigation of Visual Learning

This project will test whether targeted visual training changes how adults (18–60) perceive patterned and natural images and how those changes appear in brain activity.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 400 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Brown University (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Providence, Rhode Island)
• Trial ID: NCT06965478 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Participants with normal or corrected vision will complete repeated visual training sessions using artificial stimuli (Gabor patches) and natural scenes while performing psychophysical tasks. Investigators will record neuroimaging signals time-locked to stimulus onset to compare early (0–150 ms) feedforward and later (150–300 ms) recurrent processing associated with learning. The protocol tests whether improvements are specific to trained features and locations or generalize to untrained, everyday visual scenes. Findings will link behavioral changes to neural timing and inform designs for vision-rehabilitation programs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18–60 with normal or corrected-to-normal vision who can attend in-person training and neuroimaging sessions and have no implants or conditions that would interfere with recordings.

Not a fit: People with eye diseases (e.g., cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma), pregnant people, those with certain implants, or those taking psychoactive medications or with sleep disorders are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could guide rehabilitation programs that use perceptual training to improve or maintain vision in people with damaged or declining sight.

How similar studies have performed: Previous perceptual learning research has repeatedly shown that training can improve performance on simple visual tasks, but the extent of generalization to natural scenes and the exact neural timing mechanisms remain less established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Ages 18 - 60,
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria:

* Eye disorders (cataracts, age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma)
* Drug use (psychoactive drugs, neuroleptic medications, prescription medications that might affect cognitive and motor performance)
* Sleep disorders (sleep apnea, insomnia)
* Magnetically or mechanically activated implants (such as cardiac pacemakers)
* clips on blood vessels in the brain
* intrauterine devices
* dentures
* pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Providence, Rhode Island

• Brown University — Providence, Rhode Island, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Takeo Watanabe

Conditions: Perceptual Learning, Behavioral