# Noninvasive modulation of perception and cognition with flicker induced response modulation.

> **NIH NIH R01** · RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV OF NJ NEWARK · 2024 · $392,500

## Abstract

Project Summary
This project investigates the use of repetitive visual stimulation as a tool to improve visual cognition. Surprisingly,
the repeated presentation of simple visual patterns can result in long-term plasticity, reflected in increased neural
responses, but also in behavioral improvements that last for hours, even days. In current approaches using RVS,
however, these improvements are limited to the specific, repeated patterns; this limits the practical usefulness
of RVS. The proposed project builds on recent findings in the nonhuman primate demonstrating widespread and
general increases in neural responses after the repeated presentation of a uniform grey screen with sinusoidally
modulated luminance. The first aim is to show, using EEG, that such long-lasting increases in neural responses
also occur in the human brain. The second aim is to determine which aspects of visual cognition are improved
by this boost in neural responses. The project will assess improvements in low-level vision such as detection
and visual acuity, but also higher-level visual processes such as visuospatial attention, and visual working
memory. The pilot data already show widespread neural changes in the human brain and substantial behavioral
improvements in, for instance, visual acuity. A successful tool to improve visual cognition would have a significant
impact, as it could be used therapeutically in low vision conditions (e.g., amblyopia), but also in the elderly or
healthy human subjects, to deliver a boost in performance.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10833629
- **Project number:** 5R01EY032744-04
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV OF NJ NEWARK
- **Principal Investigator:** Bart Krekelberg
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $392,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10833629

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10833629, Noninvasive modulation of perception and cognition with flicker induced response modulation. (5R01EY032744-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10833629. Licensed CC0.

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