#35 Dr. Krystel Huxlin

Research

"My research aims to understand how the damaged, adult visual system can repair itself. To what extent can it do so? What are the principles governing such processes? How can knowledge we gain enhance vision restoration efforts?

The Visual Retraining Laboratory studies visual training as an approach to induce visual recovery after visual cortex damage in adulthood. Psychophysical techniques are used to both measure and retrain visual performance. In the past, neurochemical studies in an animal model allowed us to correlate neuronal changes with the degree and type of recovery attained as a function of training. For the last 10 years, we have applied this knowledge to devise increasingly effective training paradigms for humans with cortical blindness (a.k.a. hemianopia, quadrantanopia or cerebral visual impairment). Key to this effort has been our ability to use attentional manipulations, early training, multisensory integration and non-invasive, transcranial electrical stimulation to enhance visual recovery in these patients. Collaborative, functional MRI and animal studies are also being conducted to provide deeper insights into how the remaining visual circuitry is altered by both damage and training. This body of work aims to improve our understanding of the plasticity inherent in brain-damaged individuals with vision loss, and help design better treatments for this underserved patient population."

In this episode, we discuss a variety of topics regarding Dr. Huxlin's research, opinions, and more!