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How Top-Down Processing Changes with Increased Peripheral Vision Use

Award Number: F30EY038626
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2030

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How Top-Down Processing Changes with Increased Peripheral Vision Use - PROJECT SUMMARY: This application is for F30 support of Madeline Ragland during the remainder of her MD-PhD training. The scientific focus of Madeline’s proposal is to analyze the ways in which top-down processing changes with central vision loss. Macular degeneration (MD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States and can lead to impairments in daily functions like reading, cooking, and driving. However, some patients are able to compensate for these impairments through increased use of their peripheral vision. At the moment, the field does not have a clear understanding of the brain changes that arise following central vision loss. However, previous task-based fMRI papers in patients with MD have suggested that one potential change that might occur is a strengthening of feedback signals to primary visual cortex (V1), from higher order brain regions involved in cognitive processing (also known as top-down feedback). Top-down influences on visual processing are important for analyzing visual scenes, attending to specific areas of visual space and filtering out task-unrelated information. Therefore, one hypothesis that could explain why certain patients with central vision loss have fewer deficits than others is due increased feedback signals from higher order brain regions to peripheral V1. However, there has not been a study to definitively test this hypothesis. This proposal seeks to understand the behavioral and neural changes that result from increased use of peripheral vision, specifically examining the changes in top-down processing. A simulated model of central vision loss will be used where participants will be trained on a novel perceptual learning task to improve visual processing of peripheral vision. This intervention is part of a clinical trial being run by Dr. Kristina Visscher and Dr. Aaron Seitz. Changes in top-down processing will be assessed using a previously defined psychophysical task and through analysis of functional connectivity patterns in a task-based fMRI study. The knowledge gained from this proposal will help the field gain a better understanding of plasticity in adulthood and will help guide recommendations for rehabilitative strategies for patients with macular degeneration. More broadly, understanding how top-down processing changes with experience can be applied to other neuropsychiatric disorders where feedback signals are dysregulated in order to further explore how these networks can be modulated for therapeutic benefit. Madeline’s long term career goal is to run an academic research lab to better understand mechanisms of plasticity in neuropsychiatric disorders. To accomplish this goal, this project has been designed to deepen her understanding of systems neuroscience and computational methods so she can translate this theoretical knowledge into clinical applications such as alternative therapeutic strategies. Under the mentorship of UAB MSTP, Neuroengineering Program and Dr. Kristina Visscher, Madeline will have the tools and support necessary to accomplish the goals outlined in this proposal.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $43,996 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM	701 S 20TH STREET	BIRMINGHAM	AL	35294	JEFFERSON	USA	Vision Research	000	1	4/28/2026	NEW	$43,996
														Subtotal = $43,996

Grand Total All Awards = $43,996

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How Top-Down Processing Changes with Increased Peripheral Vision Use

Award Number: F30EY038626

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2030

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