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visual neuroscience

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·July 10, 2024·4 min read

Detecting Early Vision Loss in Macular Degeneration

A new study reveals that early changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to measurable local vision loss. Researchers used advanced imaging to find that iRORA lesions, early signs of retinal damage, significantly reduce visual acuity. This discovery could enhance monitoring and treatment of AMD, potentially preventing severe vision loss. The findings offer hope for earlier intervention in this progressive eye disease.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology Visual Neuroscience

·July 8, 2024·6 min read

Handedness and Vision May Reveal Hidden Social Strengths

A new study shows that human biases in handedness and visual field processing have social and cognitive implications. Researchers found that people with a reversed bias (left hand, right visual) are more likely to have social difficulties and conditions like autism or ADHD. The study reveals that aligning biases may have social benefits, much like in animals. These findings could lead to early screening and interventions for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·July 5, 2024·5 min read

How Our Brain Deciphers Gaze Direction

A new study reveals the precise moment the brain detects gaze direction, enhancing our understanding of social interactions and disorders like autism and Alzheimer's. Researchers used EEG and machine learning to analyze brain activity when participants viewed avatars with varying head and eye directions.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·July 3, 2024·7 min read

Ozempic Linked to Increased Risk of Blinding Eye Condition

A new study reveals that patients prescribed semaglutide (Ozempic or Wegovy) for diabetes or weight loss have a higher risk of developing NAION, a potentially blinding eye condition. Diabetic patients on semaglutide were over four times more likely to be diagnosed with NAION, while overweight patients were over seven times more likely. The findings suggest the need for careful discussions between patients and doctors about this risk. NAION remains a rare but serious condition with no effective treatments.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 13, 2024·5 min read

Illusory Faces Trigger Same Biases as Real Faces

Our brains assign the same biases to faces seen in inanimate objects as they do to human faces. Known as face pareidolia, this phenomenon includes seeing faces in objects like the moon or toast. The study found that feminine-looking illusory faces are perceived as happy faster, while masculine-looking ones are seen as angry quicker. These findings suggest that face-like patterns activate similar socio-cognitive processes as real faces.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 12, 2024·6 min read

Robot System Reduces Eye Injections for AMD Patients

Researchers successfully used a custom-built robot to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This minimally invasive treatment reduces the need for frequent eye injections. The landmark study found that robotic radiotherapy significantly decreases the number of injections needed, potentially saving millions annually. The new method offers precise targeting of radiation to the eye, improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 11, 2024·5 min read

Brain Misleads Sight: New Insights on Visual Illusions

Researchers discovered new variations of the visual saltation illusion, where rapid light flashes in peripheral vision create perceptual errors. Their study shows that our brains misplace the second flash near the midpoint, regardless of its actual position.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology Visual Neuroscience

·June 11, 2024·5 min read

Trauma Shapes How We See: Negative Life Events Linked to Imagery Perception

Personal trauma impacts how people perceive distressing imagery, like decorated masks. The study showed that those with traumatic histories had stronger emotional reactions to trauma-related images compared to neutral ones.

This shows an older man undergoing an eye exam.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 5, 2024·3 min read

New Breakthrough Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Researchers discovered that boosting the protein IRAK-M in retinal cells can effectively treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This revolutionary therapy offers a comprehensive approach to AMD, a leading cause of vision loss affecting 200 million people worldwide.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 4, 2024·4 min read

Underutilized Visual Memory: We Recall Less Than We Can

People often underuse their visual working memory (VWM), typically remembering fewer items than their capacity allows. Participants in the study usually chose to recall just one item at a time, despite being able to remember 3-4 items.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 3, 2024·4 min read

Brain Regions Key to Social Gaze Identified

Researchers discovered two brain regions crucial for social gaze in primates. Stimulating the orbitofrontal cortex increased eye contact duration and responsiveness, while the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex influenced long-term gaze patterns. These findings can inform therapies for social behavior challenges in disorders like autism.

Featured Neuroscience Visual Neuroscience

·June 3, 2024·4 min read

Mapping Millions of Brain Connections

Researchers upgraded BARseq to map millions of neurons, enhancing our understanding of brain connections. This advanced technique reveals how losing vision changes the visual cortex, making it more like neighboring brain areas.