# Transgenerational Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Structural/Functional Properties of Visual Cortex

> **NIH NIH K00** · MCLEAN HOSPITAL · 2024 · $91,678

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Macular degeneration (MD) is retinal disease that causes
severe visual impairment in nearly 7 million people in the U.S. This disease causes the progressive
deterioration of photoreceptors in the center of the retina, known as the macula, and renders patients
unable to see in the center of the visual field. As a consequence, patients with MD must rely on
peripheral vision, making even the simplest everyday tasks, such as reading or recognizing faces,
much more difficult. Reliance on peripheral vision is extremely problematic, as it possesses
substantially lower resolution compared to central vision. In fact, many patients never fully adapt to
using peripheral vision effectively. Interestingly, however, some patients become particularly skilled at
using their spared peripheral vision. Prior work suggests that this adaptation to using peripheral vision
happens at a processing stage beyond the retina, specifically in visual cortex. There is debate in the
literature about whether or not brain regions that formerly responded to central (lost) vision remap their
function to respond to peripheral (spared) vision. We address a different form of plasticity here:
remodeling of the brain regions which originally responded to peripheral (spared) vision so that they are
more capable of taking on the functions of central vision. Our hypothesis is that peripherallyrepresenting visual cortex builds new connections after experience, and this changes the structure and
function of that region. Using neuroimaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in human participants, we
have generated preliminary evidence that suggests that some of these changes may exist in the form of
alterations to brain structure (neurite density and cortical thickness) and brain function (functional
connectivity). For example, we have observed that the parts of visual cortex that respond to peripheral
vision have greater cortical thickness in MD patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting a
possible compensatory mechanism that may be associated with enhanced use of peripheral vision.
Additionally, we have observed that peripheral regions of early visual cortex in MD patients are more
strongly functionally connected to later visual areas that selectively respond to specific types of visual
stimuli, such as facial features and words/letters. We will test the hypothesis that better use of
peripheral vision in MD is associated with enhanced functional connectivity and enhanced structure
(neurite density and cortical thickness). More specifically, we predict that enhanced visual function in
MD will be related to stronger functional connectivity between peripheral areas of primary visual cortex
and later visual areas that respond preferentially to categories of stimuli (i.e.- faces, and words).
Additionally, we predict that greater neurite density and cortical thickness in primary visual cortex will be
related to behavioral performance on visual processing tas...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10894780
- **Project number:** 5K00HD111352-05
- **Recipient organization:** MCLEAN HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Leland Fleming
- **Activity code:** K00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $91,678
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-31 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10894780

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10894780, Transgenerational Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Structural/Functional Properties of Visual Cortex (5K00HD111352-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10894780. Licensed CC0.

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