title: Optimization of visual training for full recovery from severe amblyopia in adults.
abstract: The severe amblyopia induced by chronic monocular deprivation is highly resistant to reversal in adulthood. Here we use a rodent model to show that recovery from deprivation amblyopia can be achieved in adults by a two-step sequence, involving enhancement of synaptic plasticity in the visual cortex by dark exposure followed immediately by visual training. The perceptual learning induced by visual training contributes to the recovery of vision and can be optimized to drive full recovery of visual acuity in severely amblyopic adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Nicolette C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
authors.forename: Hanna Marie
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA Neuroscience and Cognitive Sciences Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA equinlan@umd.edu.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Quinlan
mesh_terms: D000550:Amblyopia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012683:Sensory Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D015349:Vision, Monocular / Q000502:physiology*