Evaluation of Visual Parameters by Visual Evoked Potentials Captured by EEG

Evaluation of Visual Parameters in Healthy and Visually Impaired Adults Using the Sweep and Oddball Technique Associated With Visual Evoked Potentials Captured by EEG

This project will be based on an approach that has already proven itself in the field of the development of low-level visual functions such as visual acuity, vernier acuity and contrast sensitivity (Norcia & Tyler, 1985): scanning visual evoked potentials" (sVEP), a special case of steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP). While SSVEPs consist of presenting a visual stimulus periodically, sVEPs are SSVEPs where the value of a parameter (e.g. the contrast of the stimulus) varies. This variation ("scanning") makes it possible to determine the threshold value where an electroencephalographic (EEG) response is perceived, and thus to evaluate visual parameters such as visual acuity, vernier acuity and contrast sensitivity. In this study we therefore record the amplitude of the EEG electrical signal during the presentation of low-level stimuli such as spatial frequency gratings or increasing or decreasing contrast.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Visual Neurosciences
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: 68-electrode electroencephalography with steady state visual evoked potentials

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 100

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Demet Yuksel; Phone Number: +32 (2) 764 21 48; Email: demet.yuksel@saintluc.uclouvain.be
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Coralie Hemptinne; Phone Number: +32 (2) 764 1969; Email: coralie.hemptinne@saintluc.uclouvain.be

Study Locations

• Belgium
  • Bruxelles
    • Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Bruxelles, Belgium, 1200
      • Recruiting
      • Institute of Neurosciences
      • Contact: Coralie Hemptinne, MD, PhD; Phone Number: +32 (2) 764 1968; Email: coralie.hemptinne@saintluc.uclouvain.be
      • Contact: Nathan Hupin, MD; Phone Number: +32 495191707; Email: nathan.hupin@student.uclouvain.be

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 1 year to 75 years (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy participants to better understand visual neurosciences.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Absence of ocular pathologies except for refractive errors
• Absence of neurologic conditions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants using neurologic or psychiatric drugs
• Scalp pathology

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Intervention / Treatment

Healthy participants; Healthy participants aged from 1 to 75 years old. All experiments conducted in this study will make use of the electroencephalogram (EEG) recording technique. Healthy participants cannot participate if they suffer from dermatosis on the scalp. There is no other contraindication to the practice of an EEG, which simply consists of recording the electrical activity of the brain on a trace, after application of a conductive gel on the scalp where sensors connected to a recording device are placed. We will collect the cerebral electrical response by the technique of steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) which consists of presenting a visual stimulus periodically to interpret the EEG signal according to those variations.

Other: 68-electrode electroencephalography with steady state visual evoked potentials; Electroencephalography is registered through a 68-electrode electroencephalography while stimuli will be presented at the centre of the screen at a distance of 150cm. The pattern of visual stimulation is based on the technique of steady state visual evoked potentials. These potentials consist of the presentation of a visual stimulus at a (relatively fast) periodic rate to produce an EEG signal over the occipital cortex exactly at the frequency of stimulation. By varying the value of a parameter of the stimulation (e.g. the contrast of the stimulus) varies. This variation makes it possible to determine the threshold value where an EEG response is perceived, and thus to evaluate visual parameters such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity or recognition of more complex shapes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Threshold of visual recognition of low and high grade visual stimuli	Fast periodic visual stimulation using stimuli such as gratings, checkerboards, words and faces	4 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Université Catholique de Louvain

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): January 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 3, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 6, 2023
• First Posted (Estimate): January 9, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 9, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 6, 2023
• Last Verified: January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2017%244

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No