Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Visual Rehabilitation After Occipital Stroke

United States60 participantsStarted 2021-07-19

Plain-language summary

This research aims to examine changes in plastic potential of the visual system with time from stroke affecting primary visual cortex. We will measure structural and mechanistic aspects of progressive degeneration along the early visual pathways, correlating them with changes in visual performance, and in responsiveness to visual restoration training. This project will advance both scientific knowledge, as well as technical capability and clinical practices for restoring vision and quality of life for people suffering from cortical blindness.

Who can participate

Age range

21 Years – 75 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Residents of US and Canada * MRI and/or CT scans showing evidence of one-sided / unilateral stroke or stroke-like damage to the primary visual cortex or its immediate afferent white matter sustained less than 6-months prior to enrollment * Reliable visual field defects in both eyes as measured by Humphrey, Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA), Goldmann, and/or equivalent perimetry. This deficit must be large enough to enclose a 5-deg diameter visual stimulus. * Ability to fixate on visual targets reliably for 1000ms (as demonstrated by visual fields, and verified in study participation) * Willing and safely able to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning * Willing, able, and competent to provide informed consent * Fluent in written and spoken English * Cognitively able, responsible, and willing to complete daily visual training independently at home for several months. Exclusion Criteria: * Past or present ocular disease interfering with vision * Best corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 in either eye * Presence of damage to the dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus, as shown on MRI/CT scans * Diffuse, whole brain degenerative processes * Brain damage deemed by study staff to potentially interfere with training ability or outcome measures * History of traumatic brain injury * Documented history of drug/alcohol abuse * Currently use of neuroactive medications which would impact training, as determined by PI * Cognitive or seizure disorders * O…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Direction Discrimination Threshold

Timeframe: baseline, 6 months, 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04798924

SponsorUniversity of Rochester

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-09-26

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Stroke, Ischemic trials