@article{9f042ade0fac4f02bce4aa029bd885e0,
title = "Exogenous attention generalizes location transfer of perceptual learning in adults with amblyopia",
abstract = "Visual perceptual learning (VPL) is a behavioral manifestation of brain neuroplasticity. However, its practical effectiveness is limited because improvements are often specific to the trained conditions and require significant time and effort. It is critical to understand the conditions that promote learning and transfer. Covert endogenous (voluntary) and exogenous (involuntary) spatial attention help overcome VPL location specificity in neurotypical adults, but whether they also do so for people with atypical visual development is unknown. This study investigates the role of exogenous attention during VPL in adults with amblyopia, an ideal population given their asymmetrically developed, but highly plastic, visual cortex. Here we show that training on a discrimination task leads to improvements in foveal contrast sensitivity, acuity, and stereoacuity. Notably, exogenous attention helps generalize learning beyond trained spatial locations. Future large-scale studies can verify the extent to which attention enhances the effectiveness of perceptual learning during rehabilitation of visual disorders.",
keywords = "Biological sciences, Neuroscience, Sensory neuroscience",
author = "Mariel Roberts and Marisa Carrasco",
note = "Funding Information: This research was supported by National Eye Institute RO1-EY027401 to M.C., National Eye Institute T32-EY007136 to New York University, National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education DGE-1342536 to M.R., and the New York University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Dean{\textquoteright}s Dissertation Fellowship to M.R. We thank Julia Payne and Sanjana Manjunath for their help with data collection, Antonio Fern{\'a}ndez, Shao-Chin Hung, Michael Jigo, Caroline Myers, Angela Shen and other members of the Carrasco Lab, as well as Sarit Szpiro, Amit Yashar, Roozbeh Kiani, Lynne Kiorpes, Zhong-Ling Lu and Denis Pelli for helpful comments. Funding Information: This research was supported by National Eye Institute RO1-EY027401 to M.C. National Eye Institute T32-EY007136 to New York University, National Science Foundation Division of Graduate Education DGE-1342536 to M.R. and the New York University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Dean's Dissertation Fellowship to M.R. We thank Julia Payne and Sanjana Manjunath for their help with data collection, Antonio Fern?ndez, Shao-Chin Hung, Michael Jigo, Caroline Myers, Angela Shen and other members of the Carrasco Lab, as well as Sarit Szpiro, Amit Yashar, Roozbeh Kiani, Lynne Kiorpes, Zhong-Ling Lu and Denis Pelli for helpful comments. M.C. and M.R. designed the experiments, interpreted the data and wrote the manuscript. M.R. programmed the experiment and collected and analyzed the data. The authors declare no competing interests. We worked to ensure gender balance in the recruitment of human subjects. We worked to ensure ethnic or other types of diversity in the recruitment of human subjects. We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as an underrepresented ethnic minority in science. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote gender balance in our reference list. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors",
year = "2022",
month = mar,
day = "18",
doi = "10.1016/j.isci.2022.103839",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "25",
journal = "iScience",
issn = "2589-0042",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
number = "3",
}