Experimental Psychology Seminar - Investigating the Residual Pathways in Blindsight

Speaker: Holly Bridge, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford

Damage to the primary visual cortex leads to loss of the visual field contralateral to the damaged cortex. However, in spite of this loss, some patients are still able to detect visual information about stimuli present within their blind field. A growing area of research aims to exploit this residual vision to try to improve visual performance through rehabilitation programmes stimulating the blind field. However, to optimise such programmes it is important to understand the pathways through which this information is conveyed. 

Here I will present a series of functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in which we attempted to elucidate these pathways in a group of hemianopic patients, some with, and some without residual vision. I will also discuss a diffusion-tensor imaging study in which we quantified the what matter microstructure of visual pathways in these patients to determine differences between those with and without residual vision. 

Time: 4pm, 24th January 2017
Venue: Room 305, 26 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AP