Clinical trials

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding noninvasive brain stimulation to augmented reality-based vision therapy can improve vision in adults aged 18 to 40 years with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, commonly called "lazy eye." Anisometropic amblyopia develops during childhood when the two eyes have different focusing powers and the brain relies more on one eye than the other. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does active high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) improve best-corrected visual acuity in the amblyopic eye and depth perception more than sham stimulation? * Does the combined treatment improve contrast sensitivity, suppression between the eyes, and measures of retinal and visual brain function? All participants will receive the same augmented reality-based dichoptic therapy. This therapy presents different visual information to each eye and lowers the contrast seen by the stronger eye. This gives the weaker, amblyopic eye a visual advantage and encourages both eyes to work together while participants carry out normal daily activities. During the first 2 weeks, participants will also receive either active HD-tDCS or sham stimulation immediately before the augmented reality therapy. Active HD-tDCS delivers a weak electrical current through small electrodes placed on the scalp. Sham stimulation uses the same equipment and procedures, but the current is applied only briefly at the beginning. Comparing the two groups will help researchers determine whether active brain stimulation provides additional benefits beyond those of augmented reality therapy alone. Participants will: * Complete 40-minute augmented reality therapy sessions four times per week for 10 weeks. * Receive eight 20-minute sessions of active or sham HD-tDCS during the first 2 weeks, immediately before the augmented reality therapy. * Attend assessment visits before treatment, after 2 weeks, and after 10 weeks. These visits will include vision tests, retinal imaging, tests of retinal function, and brain imaging.

This research explores the potential of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), particularly intrinsically photosensitive RGCs (ipRGCs), as biomarkers for predicting response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). We also aim to assess the impact of TMS treatment on RGCs and ipRGCs in TRD patients, investigating associations with clinical improvements and cognitive status. A clinical trial involving 44 patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) will be conducted. All participants will receive rTMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Data will be collected pre- and post-intervention, as well as at a 2-month follow-up, using multiple outcome measures, including the post-illumination pupil response (PIPR). The project seeks to confirm the effectiveness of TMS and the potential of RGCs/ipRGCs as predictors of treatment response, thereby facilitating the development of personalized treatment strategies for TRD patients undergoing rTMS therapy.

This study aims to validate a personalized physical activity algorithm for risk screening and individualized exercise prescription using a modified online Delphi process. International experts in physical activity and exercise will evaluate the algorithm's components over two rounds of questionnaires, with consensus defined as ≥70% agreement. If needed, a focus group will resolve any remaining disagreements. Validation of this algorithm may support safer, more effective autonomous exercise, promoting adherence, improved health outcomes, and population-level benefits.