Tuesday, September 16, 2025 9/16/2025

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

Award Number: K00HD111352
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/31/2019
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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Transgenerational Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Structural/Functional Properties of Visual Cortex - 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 tasks. These findings will help provide insight towards improving therapeutic interventions for MD, as well as uncover knowledge about the adult brain’s potential for adaptation to changes in experience.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = $94,978 )
2025	2025	THE MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION	115 MILL ST	BELMONT	MA	02478	MIDDLESEX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	6	8/14/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$94,978
														Subtotal = $94,978

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $91,678 )
2024	2024	THE MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION	115 MILL ST	BELMONT	MA	02478	MIDDLESEX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	5	6/26/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$91,678
														Subtotal = $91,678

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $86,378 )
2023	2023	MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE	115 MILL ST	BELMONT	MA	02478	MIDDLESEX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	4	7/27/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$86,378
2023	2022	MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE	115 MILL ST	BELMONT	MA	02478	MIDDLESEX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	3	12/13/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$0
														Subtotal = $86,378

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $86,378 )
2022	2022	MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE	115 MILL ST	BELMONT	MA	02478	MIDDLESEX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	001	3	9/13/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$11,318
2022	2022	MCLEAN HOSPITAL CORPORATION, THE	115 MILL ST	BELMONT	MA	02478	MIDDLESEX	USA	Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research	000	3	8/16/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$75,060
														Subtotal = $86,378

Grand Total All Awards = $359,412

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

Award Number: K00HD111352

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/31/2019

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2026

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