SPATIAL COGNITIVE TRAINING IN VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

视力丧失在退伍军人中是一个非常重要的问题，长期目标是 这项研究是应用当前神经科学的见解来设计新的康复装置。 失明退伍军人视力康复的方法。这个尖顶的目的是 应用程序的目的是为将来的Merit Review应用程序检查 将远程康复空间认知训练添加到定向和移动训练中，即 低视力康复的中坚力量。空间认知能力是一个重要的目标 视力丧失患者的康复。具体目标我将测试空间空间的假设 对失明退伍军人进行空间表象任务的认知训练可改善(A) 训练的空间成像任务的表现和(B)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分析方法。 可通过远程医疗管理的具有实际益处的认知培训。特定的 AIM II将使用功能磁共振成像(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中的人 训练组将显示参与空间处理的大脑区域的激活增强，如 如海马体和顶叶皮质，以及更多分化的神经代表 想象中的路径。精确定位神经变化轨迹的好处是识别 应用融合康复方法的潜在目标，例如经颅 顶区磁或电刺激；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.