Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision

Perceptual learning effects demonstrate that the adult visual system retains neural plasticity. If perceptual learning holds any value as a treatment tool for amblyopia, trained improvements in performance must generalise. Here we investigate whether spatial frequency discrimination learning general...

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Main Authors: Astle, Andrew T., Webb, Ben S., McGraw, Paul V.
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier 2010
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Online Access:https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/37858/
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author Astle, Andrew T.
Webb, Ben S.
McGraw, Paul V.
author_facet Astle, Andrew T.
Webb, Ben S.
McGraw, Paul V.
author_sort Astle, Andrew T.
building Nottingham Research Data Repository
collection Online Access
description Perceptual learning effects demonstrate that the adult visual system retains neural plasticity. If perceptual learning holds any value as a treatment tool for amblyopia, trained improvements in performance must generalise. Here we investigate whether spatial frequency discrimination learning generalises within task to other spatial frequencies, and across task to contrast sensitivity. Before and after training, we measured contrast sensitivity and spatial frequency discrimination (at a range of reference frequencies 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 c/deg). During training, normal and amblyopic observers were divided into three groups. Each group trained on a spatial frequncy discrimination task at one reference frequency (2, 4, or 8 c/deg). Normal and amblyopic observers who trained at lower frequencies showed a greater rate of within task learning (at their reference frequency) compared to those trained at higher frequencies. Compared to normals, amblyopic observers showed greater within task learning, at the trained reference frequency. Normal and amblyopic observers showed asymmetrical transfer of learning from high to low spatial frequencies. Both normal and amblyopic subjects showed transfer to contrast sensitivity. The direction of transfer for contrast sensitivity measurements was from the trained spatial frequency to higher frequencies, with the bandwidth and magnitude of transfer greater in the amblyopic observers compared to normals. The findings provide further support for the therapeutic efficacy of this approach and establish general principles that may help develop more effective protocols for the treatment of developmental visual deficits.
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spelling nottingham-378582020-05-04T16:29:57Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/37858/ Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision Astle, Andrew T. Webb, Ben S. McGraw, Paul V. Perceptual learning effects demonstrate that the adult visual system retains neural plasticity. If perceptual learning holds any value as a treatment tool for amblyopia, trained improvements in performance must generalise. Here we investigate whether spatial frequency discrimination learning generalises within task to other spatial frequencies, and across task to contrast sensitivity. Before and after training, we measured contrast sensitivity and spatial frequency discrimination (at a range of reference frequencies 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 c/deg). During training, normal and amblyopic observers were divided into three groups. Each group trained on a spatial frequncy discrimination task at one reference frequency (2, 4, or 8 c/deg). Normal and amblyopic observers who trained at lower frequencies showed a greater rate of within task learning (at their reference frequency) compared to those trained at higher frequencies. Compared to normals, amblyopic observers showed greater within task learning, at the trained reference frequency. Normal and amblyopic observers showed asymmetrical transfer of learning from high to low spatial frequencies. Both normal and amblyopic subjects showed transfer to contrast sensitivity. The direction of transfer for contrast sensitivity measurements was from the trained spatial frequency to higher frequencies, with the bandwidth and magnitude of transfer greater in the amblyopic observers compared to normals. The findings provide further support for the therapeutic efficacy of this approach and establish general principles that may help develop more effective protocols for the treatment of developmental visual deficits. Elsevier 2010-11-23 Article PeerReviewed Astle, Andrew T., Webb, Ben S. and McGraw, Paul V. (2010) Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision. Vision Research, 50 (23). pp. 2445-2454. ISSN 1878-5646 Amblyopia; Perceptual learning; Spatial frequency; Discrimination; Detection http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0042698910004384 doi:10.1016/j.visres.2010.09.004 doi:10.1016/j.visres.2010.09.004
spellingShingle Amblyopia; Perceptual learning; Spatial frequency; Discrimination; Detection
Astle, Andrew T.
Webb, Ben S.
McGraw, Paul V.
Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
title Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
title_full Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
title_fullStr Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
title_full_unstemmed Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
title_short Spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
title_sort spatial frequency discrimination learning in normal and developmentally impaired human vision
topic Amblyopia; Perceptual learning; Spatial frequency; Discrimination; Detection
url https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/37858/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/37858/
https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/37858/