Vision restoration after brain and retina damage: the “Residual vision activation theory ”

• Autorzy: Sabel B.A.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Vision loss after retinal or cerebral visual injury (CVI) is considered to be irreversible. According to the “residual vision activation theory” vision can be reactivated and partially restored. CVI is usually not complete but some structures are usually spared after damage: (1) areas of partial damage at the visual field border, (2) “islands” of surviving tissue inside the blind field, (3) intact extrastriate pathways, and (4) higher-level neuronal networks. But because of “nonuse” in everyday life, the synaptic strength of these are impaired. However, residual structures can be reactivated by repetitive stimulation using different means: (1) visual experience, (2) visual training, or (3) non-invasive electrical brain current stimulation. They lead to the strengthening of synaptic transmission and synchronization of surviving cells (within-systems plasticity) and downstream neuronal networks plasticity. Reactivation induces synaptic plasticity is the basis for residual structures to become again engaged in every day vision and this (re-) activation effects outlasts the stimulation period, thus contributing in a last way to vision restoration and improvements in quality of life. In summary, partial blindness is not irreversible as previously assumed, but there is hope to regain (or restore) some of the lost vision through brain plasticity.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
• Rocznik: 2013
• Tom: 73
• Numer: Suppl.1
• Opis fizyczny: p.10-11

Twórcy

autor

Sabel B.A.

• Institute of Medical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany