Evaluating Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation to Treat Amblyopia in Adolescents and Young Adults

What this Trial Is About

Amblyopia, a neurodevelopmental visual disorder, especially the monocular form-deprivation type, can cause serious impairments in visual development. Older children and adults with amblyopia often respond poorly to standard treatments due to reduced brain plasticity after the critical development period. Researchers are studying transcranial direct current stimulation tDCS to see if it can improve visual function by enhancing brain plasticity and activity in the visual cortex of these patients. The study compares two groups one receiving anodal tDCS and the other receiving sham placebo stimulation. Both treatments involve placing electrodes over the occipital cortex and delivering sessions twice a week for 20 minutes each, over a period of 6 months. The active stimulation is set at 0.1 mA, while the sham group receives 0 mA, simulating treatment without actual stimulation. Functional MRI scans will be done before and after to assess changes in brain activity and connectivity related to vision. Participants will undergo assessments of their best corrected visual acuity, visual evoked potentials, and contrast sensitivity at the start and after 24 weeks of treatment. Researchers will also monitor brain activity changes using resting-state and task-based functional MRI. The study aims to provide clear evidence on how tDCS affects visual function and brain plasticity in older adolescents with amblyopia. The total duration of participation is 6 months of treatment with follow-up assessments.

Clinical Treatment of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Older Adolescents With Amblyopia