Overview
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effectiveness of non-invasive brain stimulation in treating adults with amblyopia. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- What are the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on neuronal plasticity in the visual cortex of adults with amblyopia, and does it produce lasting changes?
- Do cumulative sessions of non-invasive brain stimulation influence neural plasticity and higher-order visual functions in adults with amblyopia?
The investigators hypothesize that non-invasive brain stimulation will show a positive cumulative effect after five (5) consecutive days of stimulation on visual perception and function in adults with amblyopia.
Participants will be randomized into one of two treatment groups:
- High-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (hf-tRNS).
- Sham stimulation.
Researchers will compare baseline measurements of crowded visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity, phosphene thresholds, global motion perception, form pattern recognition and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) to post-treatment measurements for each group.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults between 18 and 55 years of age
- Formal diagnosis of amblyopia in one or both eyes of any etiology
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of optic nerve disease, including glaucoma and optic neuritis
- History of neurological conditions, including demyelinating disease or stroke
- Presence of metal or electronic implants in or on the body, including pacemakers
- Taking medications that can affect normal neurological function, including antipsychotics, antiepileptics, and opioids