Functional connectivity interacts with visual perceptual learning for visual field recovery in chronic stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Perceptual learning (PL) shows a reciprocal relationship with functional brain changes, yet neural correlates are unclear.
• Visual perceptual learning (VPL) aids visual field defect (VFD) recovery in chronic stroke patients.
• Understanding neural mechanisms is crucial for optimizing VPL-based rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in visual cortices related to VPL-induced VFD recovery.
• To identify neural correlates of VPL effectiveness in chronic stroke patients.
• To assess the potential of RSFC as a biomarker for VFD recovery.

Main Methods:

• Chronic stroke patients with VFD underwent 24 VPL sessions over 2 months (orientation and letter discrimination).
• RSFC in ipsilesional, interhemispheric, and contralesional visual cortices was assessed at baseline and 2 months.
• Mean total deviation (MTD) scores for VFD were measured in the affected visual field.

Main Results:

• Baseline interhemispheric visual RSFC strongly correlated with post-training MTD scores.
• A subgroup with high baseline interhemispheric visual RSFC demonstrated significant VFD improvement.
• Interactions between baseline interhemispheric visual RSFC and VPL influenced MTD scores and VFD recovery extent.

Conclusions:

• Baseline interhemispheric visual RSFC is a promising biomarker for predicting VPL effectiveness in VFD recovery.
• High interhemispheric connectivity may indicate greater potential for visual field improvement after VPL.
• This finding advances understanding of neural mechanisms underlying VPL-induced stroke rehabilitation.