Amblyopia is widespread form of human visual disability caused by a disparity in visual quality between the two eyes during early postnatal life. This disparity drives ocular dominance plasticity in the visual cortex to favor the stronger eye at the expense of the weaker (amblyopic) eye. Consequently, synapses in the visual cortex downstream of the amblyopic eye are weakened, a process that is difficult to reverse unless treatment is initiated during infancy or early childhood. Recent work in animal models has suggested several strategies for promoting recovery from amblyopia. While the pathophysiology underlying amblyopia has been well studied, the synaptic and cellular conditions underlying recovery are less clear. This proposal focuses on a treatment strategy that rapidly promotes visual recovery following experimental amblyopia via temporary inactivation of the retinas. A temporary period of retinal inactivation leads of a stable enhancement of visual cortical responses once vision is restored. The goal of this proposal is to identify how retinal inactivation alters synaptic, cellular, and circuit-level properties to promote visual cortical enhancement. The long-term objective of this research is to understand how cortical plasticity is engaged to promote recovery and to inform clinical interventions for treating human amblyopia.

Public Health Relevance

Amblyopia is common neurodevelopmental form of visual disability with limited treatment options, especially in medically-underserved communities. The proposed research seeks to understand how neural plasticity can be harnessed to enhance visual ability, and to suggest new treatment options for human amblyopia.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Career Transition Award (K99)
Project #
5K99EY029326-02
Application #
9752570
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZEY1)
Program Officer
Agarwal, Neeraj
Project Start
2018-08-05
Project End
2020-07-31
Budget Start
2019-08-01
Budget End
2020-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2019
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001425594
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02142