BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence M.D. Daghlian METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260921T134500 DTEND:20260921T151500 DTSTAMP:20260921T134500 UID:phd-defence-m-d-daghlian@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260924T214618 LOCATION:Main building VU, 1105, Auditorium, De Boelelaan, 1081 HV, Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence M.D. Daghlian X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Visual Pyrometry: Mo dels and Measures of the Visual Brain in Health and Disease

< h3>New method provides better insight into brain vision proce ssing

Marcus Daghlian's research into the processing of visual information in the brain shows that existing computer model s for brain scans must be interpreted with caution. At the same time, a new method offers opportunities to better measure how the brain co pes with impaired vision. This is important for patients receiving tr eatments to restore their eyesight.

Damage to the eye limits wh at we can see. Exactly how that damage leads to vision loss also depe nds on how the brain processes incoming visual information. Therefore , in the study, methods were developed using functional MRI brain sca ns (fMRI) to measure that processing and to investigate how the brain adapts after eye conditions.

An important finding is that smal l, easily overlooked changes in computer models can significantly alt er the results. When researchers use brain scans to map what someone sees, they must therefore be careful with the interpretation. As a re sult, previous research results may potentially be less reliable than expected. In addition, Daghlian developed a new method to measure co ntrast sensitivity: the ability to distinguish subtle differences in shades of gray, for example, to see a gray cat on a dark sidewalk. St andard eye tests primarily measure whether someone can read small bla ck letters on a white map. Contrast sensitivity says more about how w ell someone can actually see in daily life.

In patients with gl aucoma, the new brain scan method made it possible to measure how bra in activity decreases when contrast levels drop. This creates better opportunities to monitor how the brain recovers.

Import ant for vision loss treatments

The results are particu larly relevant for new treatments that attempt to restore vision, suc h as gene therapies and specialized surgeries. After all, improvement of the eye does not automatically mean that vision improves: new vis ual signals must be interpreted by the brain.

The new methods c an help assess whether such treatments actually lead to better functi oning vision. They can also provide insight into whether additional t raining is needed to teach the brain to handle new visual information .

In addition, Daghlian's research contributes to fundamental k nowledge about the brain. It can help answer how flexible the brain i s after vision loss: is the way the brain processes visual informatio n largely fixed, or can it adapt to a significant extent?

More information on the thesis

DESCRIPTION: Visual Pyrometry: Models and Measures of the Visual Brain in Health and Disease

New method provides better insight into brain vision processing

Marcus Daghlian's research into the processing of visual information in the brain shows that ex isting computer models for brain scans must be interpreted with cauti on. At the same time, a new method offers opportunities to better mea sure how the brain copes with impaired vision. This is important for patients receiving treatments to restore their eyesight.Damage to the eye limits what we can see. Exactly how that damage leads to vision loss also depends on how the brain processes incoming visual informat ion. Therefore, in the study, methods were developed using functional MRI brain scans (fMRI) to measure that processing and to investigate how the brain adapts after eye conditions.An important finding is th at small, easily overlooked changes in computer models can significan tly alter the results. When researchers use brain scans to map what s omeone sees, they must therefore be careful with the interpretation. As a result, previous research results may potentially be less reliab le than expected. In addition, Daghlian developed a new method to mea sure contrast sensitivity: the ability to distinguish subtle differen ces in shades of gray, for example, to see a gray cat on a dark sidew alk. Standard eye tests primarily measure whether someone can read sm all black letters on a white map. Contrast sensitivity says more abou t how well someone can actually see in daily life.In patients with gl aucoma, the new brain scan method made it possible to measure how bra in activity decreases when contrast levels drop. This creates better opportunities to monitor how the brain recovers.Important for vision loss treatmentsThe results are particularly relevant for new treatments that attempt to restore vision, such as gene ther apies and specialized surgeries. After all, improvement of the eye do es not automatically mean that vision improves: new visual signals mu st be interpreted by the brain.The new methods can help assess whethe r such treatments actually lead to better functioning vision. They ca n also provide insight into whether additional training is needed to teach the brain to handle new visual information.In addition, Daghlia n's research contributes to fundamental knowledge about the brain. It can help answer how flexible the brain is after vision loss: is the way the brain processes visual information largely fixed, or can it a dapt to a significant extent?More information on the thesis END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR