Clinical Trial: Visual Information Restoration and Rehabilitation Via Sensory Substitution Technology in Children

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Visual Information Restoration and Rehabilitation Via Sensory Substitution Technology in Children

Brief Summary:

The BrainPort vision device is a visual prosthetic designed for those who are blind. It enables perception of visual information using the tongue and camera system as a paired substitute for the eye. Visual information is collected from a video camera and translated into a gentle vibration that is presented to the subject on the tongue. With training users perceive shape, size, location and motion of objects in their environment. It is a functional, non-surgical device developed to demonstrate as an aid to the visually impaired.

The aim of this proposal is to evaluate a non-surgical visual prosthetic (BrainPort vision device) that enables the blind to appreciate their immediate surroundings and determine the way the brain interprets the information. Our goal is to determine if the device can be used in a pediatric population by measuring the subjects' improvement over baseline in any of the following areas: light detection, light localization, movement perception, and standardized object recognition tasks after use of the BrainPort.


Detailed Summary:

Objective:

Our objective is to determine if the functional improvements seen in blind subjects using the BrainPort can be realized in a pediatric cohort.

Specific Aims:

The aim of this proposal is to evaluate a non-surgical visual prosthetic (BrainPort vision device) that enables the blind to appreciate their immediate surroundings and determine the way the brain interprets the information. Our main goal is to determine if the device can be used in a pediatric population by measuring the subjects' improvement over baseline in any of the following areas: light detection, light localization, movement perception, and standardized object recognition tasks after use of the BrainPort.

As a second aim, we will use a multimodal MR scanning session to study the neurophysiological basis of sensory substitution in children. Under this aim we will pursue two main objectives. First, we will correlate the behavioral data with the imaging data in order to detect regions of the brain where structure and/or function are associated with successful use of sensory substitution devices. Second, we will utilize these data along with previously collected adult data to model the effects of prior visual experience on visual cortex plasticity due to blindness.

Background:

The BrainPort vision device is a visual prosthetic designed for those who are blind. It enables perception of visual information using the tongue and camera system as a paired substitute for the eye. Visual information is collected from a video camera and translated into gentle electrical stimulation patterns on the surface of the tongue. With training, users perceive shape, size, loc
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh

Current Primary Outcome: Evaluate Brainport Device [ Time Frame: 5 visits over the course of approximately 2 weeks ]

The aim of this proposal is to evaluate a non-surgical visual prosthetic (BrainPort vision device) that enables the blind to appreciate their immediate surroundings and determine the way the brain interprets the information. Our main goal is to determine if the device can be used in a pediatric population by measuring the subjects' improvement over baseline in any of the following areas: light detection, light localization, movement perception, and standardized object recognition tasks after use of the BrainPort.


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: Evaluate Brainport Device Through MRI [ Time Frame: 1 Visit ]

As a second aim, we will use a multimodal MR scanning session to study the neurophysiological basis of sensory substitution in children. Under this aim we will pursue two main objectives. First, we will correlate the behavioral data with the imaging data in order to detect regions of the brain where structure and/or function are associated with successful use of sensory substitution devices. Second, we will utilize these data along with previously collected adult data to model the effects of prior visual experience on visual cortex plasticity due to blindness.


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Pittsburgh

Dates:
Date Received: December 20, 2016
Date Started: January 2014
Date Completion: January 2020
Last Updated: December 20, 2016
Last Verified: December 2016