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Chen X, Bobier W, Thompson B. Short-term ocular dominance plasticity is not modulated by visual cortex tDCS but increases with length of monocular deprivation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6666. [PMID: 37095131 PMCID: PMC10126033 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33823-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the occipital lobe may modulate visual cortex neuroplasticity. We assessed the acute effect of visual cortex anodal (a-)tDCS on ocular dominance plasticity induced by short-term monocular deprivation (MD), a well-established technique for inducing homeostatic plasticity in the visual system. In Experiment 1, active or sham visual cortex tDCS was applied during the last 20 min of 2-h MD following a within-subjects design (n = 17). Ocular dominance was measured using two computerized tests. The magnitude of ocular dominance plasticity was unaffected by a-tDCS. In Experiment 2 (n = 9), we investigated whether a ceiling effect of MD was masking the effect of active tDCS. We replicated Experiment 1 but used only 30 min of MD. The magnitude of ocular dominance plasticity was decreased with the shorter intervention, but there was still no effect of active a-tDCS. Within the constraints of our experimental design and a-tDCS parameters, visual cortex a-tDCS did not modulate the homeostatic mechanisms that drive ocular dominance plasticity in participants with normal binocular vision.
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Thompson B, Bundell S. A smarter way to melt down plastics? Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-01348-8. [PMID: 37076713 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-01348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
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78
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Thompson B. How to battle misinformation with Sander van der Linden. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00899-0. [PMID: 37059850 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00899-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
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79
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Thompson B, Petrić Howe N. Octopuses hunt by 'tasting' with their suckers. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-01262-z. [PMID: 37045967 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-01262-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
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80
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Hall S, Thompson B. Audio long read: What Turkey’s earthquake tells us about the science of seismic forecasting. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00898-1. [DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00898-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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81
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Thompson B, Petrić Howe N. Bacterial ‘syringes’ could inject drugs directly into human cells. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00926-0. [PMID: 36997707 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
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82
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Thompson B, Petrić Howe N. How the Australian wildfires devastated the ozone layer. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00700-2. [PMID: 36890324 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
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83
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Overstreet B, Ward-Ritacco C, Neric F, Brawner CA, Thompson B, Hargens T, Thompson W. Technical Requirements for Clinical Exercise Physiologists as Qualified Health Professionals. ACSM'S HEALTH & FITNESS JOURNAL 2023. [DOI: 10.1249/fit.0000000000000848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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84
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Brazil R, Thompson B. Audio long read: How your first brush with COVID warps your immunity. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00488-1. [PMID: 36829058 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00488-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
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85
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Bundell S, Thompson B. A twisting microscope that could unlock the secrets of 2D materials. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00537-9. [PMID: 36814022 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00537-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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86
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Thompson B, Petrić Howe N. This mysterious space rock shouldn't have a ring - but it does. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00376-8. [PMID: 36755152 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00376-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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87
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Petrić Howe N, Thompson B. How mummies were prepared: Ancient Egyptian pots spill secrets. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00292-x. [PMID: 36725947 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00292-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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88
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Bui Quoc E, Kulp MT, Burns JG, Thompson B. Amblyopia: A review of unmet needs, current treatment options, and emerging therapies. Surv Ophthalmol 2023; 68:507-525. [PMID: 36681277 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Amblyopia is a global public health issue with extensive, multifaceted impacts on vision and quality of life (QoL) for both patients and families. Geographical variation exists in the management of amblyopia, with traditional mainstay treatments, optical correction, and fellow eye occlusion most successful when implemented at an early age. In recent years, however, studies demonstrating meaningful improvements in older children and adults have challenged the concept of a complete loss of visual processing plasticity beyond the critical period of visual development, with growing evidence supporting the potential efficacy of emerging, more engaging, binocular therapies in both adults and children. Binocular approaches aim to restore deficits in amblyopia that extend beyond monocular visual acuity impairment, including binocular fusion and visuomotor skills. In view of this, incorporating outcome measures that evaluate the visual performance and functional ability of individuals with amblyopia will provide a clearer understanding of the effect of amblyopia on QoL and a more comprehensive evaluation of amblyopia therapies.
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89
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Thompson B, Bundell S. Laser 'lightning rod' diverts strikes high in the Alps. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00117-x. [PMID: 36653615 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00117-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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90
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Thompson B, Baker N, Graham F. The science stories you missed over the past four weeks. Nature 2023:10.1038/d41586-023-00055-8. [PMID: 36631586 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00055-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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91
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Bello UM, Wang J, Park ASY, Tan KWS, Cheung BWS, Thompson B, Cheong AMY. Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1119200. [PMID: 36937668 PMCID: PMC10017867 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1119200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Multiple studies have explored the use of visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance visual function. These studies vary in sample size, outcome measures, and methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effects of NIBS on visual functions in human participants with normal vision. Methods We followed the PRISMA guidelines, and a review protocol was registered with PROSPERO before study commencement (CRD42021255882). We searched Embase, Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, OpenGrey and Web of Science using relevant keywords. The search covered the period from 1st January 2000 until 1st September 2021. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used for quantitative analysis. Results Fifty studies were included in the systematic review. Only five studies utilized transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and no TMS studies met our pre-specified criteria for meta-analysis. Nineteen transcranial electrical stimulation studies (tES, 38%) met the criteria for meta-analysis and were the focus of our review. Meta-analysis indicated acute effects (Hedges's g = 0.232, 95% CI: 0.023-0.442, p = 0.029) and aftereffects (0.590, 95% CI: 0.182-0.998, p = 0.005) of tES on contrast sensitivity. Visual evoked potential (VEP) amplitudes were significantly enhanced immediately after tES (0.383, 95% CI: 0.110-0.665, p = 0.006). Both tES (0.563, 95% CI: 0.230-0.896, p = 0.001) and anodal-transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) alone (0.655, 95% CI: 0.273-1.038, p = 0.001) reduced crowding in peripheral vision. The effects of tES on visual acuity, motion perception and reaction time were not statistically significant. Conclusion There are significant effects of visual cortex tES on contrast sensitivity, VEP amplitude, an index of cortical excitability, and crowding among normally sighted individuals. Additional studies are required to enable a comparable meta-analysis of TMS effects. Future studies with robust experimental designs are needed to extend these findings to populations with vision loss. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov/, identifier CRD42021255882.
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Thompson B, Bundell S, Petrić Howe N, Fox D, Gibney E, Baker N. The Nature Podcast's highlights of 2022. Nature 2022:10.1038/d41586-022-04482-x. [PMID: 36577812 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-04482-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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93
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St Clair SL, Dai DWT, Harris DL, Gamble GD, McKinlay CJD, Nivins S, Shah RK, Thompson B, Harding JE. Mid-Childhood Outcomes after Dextrose Gel Treatment of Neonatal Hypoglycaemia: Follow-Up of the Sugar Babies Randomized Trial. Neonatology 2022; 120:90-101. [PMID: 36516806 PMCID: PMC9992292 DOI: 10.1159/000527715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dextrose gel is widely used as first-line treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia given its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. The Sugar Babies randomized trial first showed that 40% dextrose gel was more effective in reversing hypoglycaemia than feeding alone. Follow-up of the Sugar Babies Trial cohort at 2 and 4.5 years of age reported that dextrose gel appeared safe, with similar rates of neurosensory impairment in babies randomized to dextrose or placebo gel. However, some effects of neonatal hypoglycaemia may not become apparent until school age. METHODS Follow-up of the Sugar Babies Trial cohort at 9-10 years of age was reported. The primary outcome was low educational achievement in reading or mathematics. Secondary outcomes included other aspects of educational achievement, executive function, visual-motor function, and psychosocial adaptation. RESULTS Of 227 eligible children, 184 (81%) were assessed at a mean (SD) age of 9.3 (0.2) years. Low educational achievement was similar in dextrose and placebo groups (36/86 [42%] vs. 42/94 [45%]; RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.76, 1.44; p = 0.79). Children allocated to dextrose gel had lower visual perception standard scores (95.2 vs. 100.6; MD -5.68, 95% CI -9.79, -1.57; p = 0.006) and a greater proportion had low (<85) visual perception scores (20/88 [23%] vs. 10/95 [11%]; RR 2.23, 95% CI 1.13, 4.37; p = 0.02). Other secondary outcomes, including other aspects of visual-motor function, were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION Treatment dextrose gel does not appear to result in any clinically significant differences in educational achievement or other neurodevelopmental outcomes at mid-childhood.
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Petrić Howe N, Thompson B. COVID deaths: three times the official toll. Nature 2022:10.1038/d41586-022-04463-0. [PMID: 36517687 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-04463-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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95
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Kennedy E, Nivins S, Thompson B, McKinlay CJD, Harding J, McKinlay C, Alsweiler J, Brown G, Gamble G, Wouldes T, Keegan P, Harris D, Chase JG, Thompson B, Turuwhenua J, Rogers J, Kennedy E, Shah R, Dai D, Nivins S, Ledger J, Macdonald S, McNeill A, Bevan C, Burakevych N, May R, Hossin S, McKnight G, Hasan R, Wilson J, Knopp J, Chakraborty A, Zhou T, Miller S. Neurodevelopmental correlates of caudate volume in children born at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia. Pediatr Res 2022; 93:1634-1641. [PMID: 36513807 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal hypoglycaemia can lead to brain damage and neurocognitive impairment. Neonatal hypoglycaemia is associated with smaller caudate volume in the mid-childhood. We investigated the relationship between neurodevelopmental outcomes and caudate volume and whether this relationship was influenced by neonatal hypoglycaemia. METHODS Children born at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia ≥36 weeks' gestation who participated in a prospective cohort study underwent neurodevelopmental assessment (executive function, academic achievement, and emotional-behavioural regulation) and MRI at age 9-10 years. Neonatal hypoglycaemia was defined as at least one hypoglycaemic episode (blood glucose concentration <2.6 mmol/L or at least 10 min of interstitial glucose concentrations <2.6 mmol/L). Caudate volume was computed using FreeSurfer. RESULTS There were 101 children with MRI and neurodevelopmental data available, of whom 70 had experienced neonatal hypoglycaemia. Smaller caudate volume was associated with greater parent-reported emotional and behavioural difficulties, and poorer prosocial behaviour. Caudate volume was significantly associated with visual memory only in children who had not experienced neonatal hypoglycaemia (interaction p = 0.03), but there were no other significant interactions between caudate volume and neonatal hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSION Smaller caudate volume is associated with emotional behaviour difficulties in the mid-childhood. Although neonatal hypoglycaemia is associated with smaller caudate volume, this appears not to contribute to clinically relevant neurodevelopmental deficits. IMPACT At 9-10 years of age, caudate volume was inversely associated with emotional-behavioural difficulties and positively associated with prosocial behaviour but was not related to executive function or educational achievement. Previous studies have suggested that neonatal hypoglycaemia may contribute to smaller caudate volume but exposure to neonatal hypoglycaemia did not appear to influence the relationship between caudate volume and behaviour. Among children not exposed to neonatal hypoglycaemia, caudate volume was also positively associated with visual memory, but no such association was detected among those exposed to neonatal hypoglycaemia. Understanding early-life factors that affect caudate development may provide targets for improving behavioural function.
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Thompson B. Oldest DNA reveals 2-million-year-old ecosystem. Nature 2022:10.1038/d41586-022-04376-y. [PMID: 36481941 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-04376-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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97
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Thompson B. Gaia Vince on how climate change will shape where people live. Nature 2022:10.1038/d41586-022-04132-2. [PMID: 36460912 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-04132-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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98
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Yu A, Zhang R, Silva AE, Xing Y, Thompson B, Liu Z. Motion opponency at the middle temporal cortex: Preserved motion information and the effect of perceptual learning. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:6215-6226. [PMID: 36266211 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Motion opponency, first observed within the primate middle temporal cortex (MT), refers to the suppressing effect of opposite motion directions on neuronal activity. Namely, when opposing motion directional signals stimulate an MT neuron's receptive field, this neuron's response is comparable with that induced by flicker noise. Under such suppression, it is unknown whether any directional information is still represented at MT. In this study, we applied support vector machine (SVM) learning to human functional magnetic resonance imaging data to investigate if any motion defined orientation information was still available from suppressed MT. We found that, at least at the level of ±45° discrimination, such orientation information was still available. Interestingly, after behavioural perceptual learning that improved human discrimination of fine orientation discrimination (e.g. 42° vs. 48°) using the MT-suppressive motion stimuli, the SVM discrimination of ±45° worsened when functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals at post-learning MT were used. This result is consistent with findings in Thompson et al. (2013) that, post-perceptual learning, MT suppression was not released, suggesting that motion opponency was perhaps functionally too important for perceptual learning to overcome.
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Lyu A, Silva AE, Cheung SH, Thompson B, Abel L, Cheong AMY. Effects of visual span on Chinese reading performance in normal peripheral vision. Vision Res 2022; 201:108119. [PMID: 36108416 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2022.108119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined the relationships among temporal processing speed, spatial visual span and Chinese character reading speed in normal central and peripheral vision. Maximum reading speed (MRS) and critical print size (CPS) of 26 native Chinese readers (13 young and 13 older adults) were determined at three visual field locations: central vision, 10° left and 10° below fixation using a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) task. Temporal processing speed was measured using trigrams of randomly selected Chinese characters presented at a range of exposure durations, while spatial visual span was measured using trigrams presented at different spatial positions. It was found that shorter temporal processing speed and larger spatial visual span were associated with faster MRS at the central and inferior visual field locations, but not at the left of fixation location. As expected, reading and visual span metrics were better in central vision compared to both peripheral locations. In addition, reading, temporal processing, and spatial visual span metrics were better in the young than older subjects (except for similar temporal processing speed at two peripheral locations). The results for central and inferior presentation locations support the hypothesis that temporal processing speed and spatial visual span were associated with Chinese character reading speed. Surprisingly, no correlation was observed for the 10° left of the fixation location, suggesting that the factors affecting reading speed might differ for inferior and lateral peripheral viewing locations.
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100
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Thompson B, Baker N. Mysterious fluid from ant pupae helps feed colony. Nature 2022:10.1038/d41586-022-04239-6. [PMID: 36456816 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-022-04239-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
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