Characterizing training-related neuroplasticity in developmental prosopagnosia

 描述(由申请人提供)：这项提案的长期目标是开发一种有效的发育性面孔失认症治疗方法，并了解与治疗相关的改善机制。这与国家眼科研究所更好地治疗视觉障碍和了解视觉功能的机制的使命有关。这项提议的特别目标是在我们之前在发展面孔认知学(DPS)中改善面孔处理方面的成功的基础上，使用针对整体面孔处理的认知训练。这项建议的具体目的是：1)确定改进的、更长版本的整体面孔训练方案是否比主动控制训练更有效地改善发育性面孔认知(DPS)中的面孔加工和日常功能；2)使用功能磁共振成像来表征与主动控制训练相比，整体面孔训练后核心和扩展的面部加工区域是如何变化的；以及3)与主动控制训练相比，整体面孔训练后面部加工的事件相关电位(ERP)特征是如何变化的。作为一项探索性目标，我们还试图确定面部选择性白质是否在 与主动控制训练相比，整体面孔训练后，大脑腹侧枕颞区发生了变化。为了实现这些目标，我们建议进行一项三盲(评估者、参与者，数据分析对治疗是盲目的)随机纵向治疗研究，DPS为50。我们建议让25名DPS完成6周的整体面孔训练，25名DPS完成6周的配对主动对照训练，使用相同的面孔。筛查后，DPS将进行基线认知和功能评估以及MRI扫描(包括功能磁共振成像和DTI)和事件相关电位记录。接下来，DPS将被随机分为整体面部训练或主动控制训练，并将在家中或实验室的笔记本电脑上进行为期6周的30次训练(36分钟/次)。在此期间，认知培训教练将密切监测他们的 进步。在干预完成的一周内，DPS将重复行为评估、MRI扫描和ERP记录。为了衡量培训效果的持续时间，DPS还将在6周的非接触期后重复所有评估。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-term goal of this proposal is to develop an effective treatment for developmental prosopagnosia and to understand the mechanisms of treatment-related improvements. This is relevant to the National Eye Institute's mission to better treat visual disorders and understand mechanisms of visual function. The particular goal of this proposal is to build on our previous successes at improving face processing in developmental prosopagnosics (DPs) using cognitive training targeting holistic face processing. Our specific aims for this proposal are to: 1) Determine whether an improved, longer version of the holistic face training program is more effective at improving face processing and daily functioning in developmental prosopagnosics (DPs) than active control training; 2) To use functional MRI to characterize how core and extended face processing regions change after holistic face training compared to active control training; and 3) To characterize how event-related potential (ERP) signatures of face processing change after holistic face training compared to active control training. As an exploratory aim, we also seek to determine if face-selective white matter tracts in ventral occipito-temporal regions change after holistic face training compared to active control training. To achieve these aims, we propose to run a triple-blind (assessor, participant, and data analysis is blind to treatment), randomized longitudinal treatment study with 50 DPs. We propose to have 25 DPs complete 6 weeks of holistic face training and 25 complete 6 weeks of a matched active control training that uses the same faces. After screening, DPs will perform baseline cognitive and functional assessments as well as MRI scans (including fMRI and DTI) and ERP recording. Next, DPs will be randomized to either holistic face training or active control training and will train on a laptop computer at home or in the laboratory for 30 sessions (36 mins/session) over 6 weeks. During this time, a cognitive training coach will closely monitor their progress. Within one week of intervention completion, DPs will repeat the behavioral assessments, MRI scans, and ERP recording. To measure the longevity of training effects, DPs will also repeat all assessments after a 6-week no-contact period.