Investigating Brain Function in People With and Without Visual Snow Syndrome Using Adaptation to … (NCT06961864) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Investigating Brain Function in People With and Without Visual Snow Syndrome Using Adaptation to Visual Stimuli
United States100 participantsStarted 2025-04-11
Plain-language summary
The goal of this study is to learn more about the brain pathways and activity involved in creating Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS). The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does VSS arise from spontaneous activity in brain pathways?
* Where in the brain does the activity contributing to VSS arise?
* How does brain activity contribute to VSS?
Participants will:
1. Undergo assessments and questionnaires to understand visual and mental symptoms, cognitive, and sensory function.
2. Make visual judgements based on images presented to them both inside and outside a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.
3. Undergo scanning of their brain while inside of an MRI machine.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 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 for People with Visual Snow Syndrome:
* Between the ages of 18 and 60 years old
* Normal (20/25 or better in each eye) or corrected-to-normal vision (MR-compatible glasses will be provided as needed)
* Ability to comply with study instructions
* Individuals who have a current diagnosis of VSS from a neuro-ophthalmologist or meet diagnostic criteria of VSS (experience of dynamic dots across the visual field persisting longer than 3 months and at least 2 of the following additional visual symptoms: palinopsia, entoptic phenomena, trails behind moving objects, photophobia, or nyctalopia)
* Individuals living in Minnesota within 2 hours of the study site
Inclusion Criteria for Non-snow Controls:
* Between the ages of 18 and 60 years old
* Normal (20/25 or better in each eye) or corrected-to-normal vision (MR-compatible glasses will be provided as needed)
* Ability to comply with study instructions
* Individuals living in Minnesota within 2 hours of the study site
Exclusion Criteria for People with Visual Snow Syndrome:
* Not being fluent in English or another language for which interpretation/translation services are available
* A diagnosed or self-reported intellectual disability
* Current substance dependence (besides nicotine), or drug dependence with tolerance or withdrawal within past 12 months
* Hallucinogenic substance use within the past 12 months or hallucinogenic substance use within 12 months prior to onset of VSS symptoms
* Severe central nervo…
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
1
Psychophysical Adaptation Task Performance
Timeframe: 1.5-2 hours per session, with experiments divided across multiple (e.g., 3) sessions
2
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Measures
Timeframe: 1-2 hours per session, with experiments split across multiple (e.g., 3) sessions