SPATIAL COGNITIVE TRAINING IN VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

视力丧失是退伍军人群体中一个非常重要的问题， 这项研究是应用目前的神经科学的见解，设计新的康复 视力丧失退伍军人的视力康复方法。此SPIRE的目的 申请是为将来的Merit Review申请奠定基础， 将远程康复空间认知训练添加到定向和移动训练中， 低视力康复的支柱。空间认知能力是一个重要的目标， 视力丧失者的康复。具体目标我将测试的假设， 对盲人退伍军人进行空间想象任务的认知训练导致以下方面的改善： 在训练的空间成像任务上的表现，以及（B）相对的真实世界导航能力 进行控制干预如果假设得到支持，这将是一种简单的空间方法。 认知训练与现实世界的好处，可以通过远程医疗管理。具体 目的II将使用功能性磁共振成像（fMRI）来评估神经变化 与空间认知训练有关。假设是那些在空间认知方面 训练组将显示出介导空间处理的大脑区域的增强激活， 海马和顶叶皮层，以及更分化的神经表征， 想象的道路精确定位变化的神经位点的好处是识别 融合康复方法应用的潜在目标，例如经颅 磁或电刺激顶叶区域;增强海马神经发生 通过有氧运动。

Vision loss is a highly significant problem in the veteran population, and the long-term goal of this research is the application of current neuroscientific insights to design novel rehabilitative approaches for visual rehabilitation of veterans with vision loss. The purpose of this SPiRE application is to lay the groundwork for a future Merit Review application examining the utility of adding telerehabilitative spatial cognitive training to orientation and mobility training that is the mainstay of low vision rehabilitation. Spatial cognitive abilities represent an important target for rehabilitation of individuals with vision loss. Specific Aim I will test the hypothesis that spatial cognitive training of blind veterans on a spatial imagery task leads to improvements in (a) performance on the trained spatial imagery task and (b) real-world navigational ability, relative to a control intervention. If the hypothesis is supported, this would be a simple method of spatial cognitive training with real-world benefits that can be administered via telemedicine. Specific Aim II will use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the neural changes associated with spatial cognitive training. The hypothesis is that those in the spatial cognitive training group will show enhanced activation in brain regions mediating spatial processing, such as the hippocampus and parietal cortex, as well as more differentiated neural representations of imagined paths. The benefit of pinpointing the neural loci of change is the identification of potential targets for application of converging rehabilitation approaches, e.g. transcranial magnetic or electrical stimulation over parietal regions; enhancing hippocampal neurogenesis through aerobic exercise.