Clinical trials

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.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate a home-based augmented reality-based binocular therapy designed to improve visual function in adults aged 18 to 40 years with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia, commonly called "lazy eye." The therapy is designed to be used during everyday activities, allowing visual training to be integrated into the participant's normal home routine. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does the Ambly4Home augmented reality-based binocular therapy improve visual acuity in the amblyopic eye and binocular vision compared with placebo visual training? * Are any improvements in visual function maintained 6 months after the treatment has ended? * Is the treatment associated with changes in other measures of visual function, retinal structure and function, and visual brain function? Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active binocular therapy or placebo visual training. Both groups will use the same mixed-reality device, follow the same training schedule, and carry out similar daily activities while viewing their real-world surroundings through the device. In the active treatment, the image presented to the amblyopic eye will remain close to the natural scene, while the contrast of the image presented to the stronger eye will be selectively lowered. This gives the amblyopic eye a relative visual advantage, helping to rebalance the input from the two eyes and encouraging them to work together. In the placebo group, participants will use the same device under the same conditions, but without the selective contrast reduction used in the active treatment. This comparison will allow researchers to isolate the specific effect of selectively lowering the contrast seen by the stronger eye. Participants will: * Complete 40-minute training sessions four times per week for 10 weeks. * Learn how to use the system in a clinical setting before continuing the training at home. * Attend assessment visits before treatment, after 10 weeks of treatment, and 6 months after treatment has ended. * Complete tests of visual acuity, depth perception, suppression between the eyes, and contrast sensitivity, as well as retinal imaging, retinal function testing, and brain imaging.

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.

The goal of this observational longitudinal cohort study is to identify key lifestyle-related predictors of health and disease and to understand how health trajectories develop over time in adolescents and young adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How are lifestyle habits associated with health indicators in adolescents and young adults? * Which individual, social, and environmental factors act as risk or protective determinants of health over time? * How do lifestyle behaviours and health determinants evolve during critical life transitions, particularly academic transitions? What causal relationships exist between changes in lifestyle habits and health outcomes, after controlling for potential confounders? Participants will: * Provide digital health and lifestyle data through a digital biobank platform; * Be followed longitudinally with repeated data collection over time; * Contribute information related to health status, lifestyle behaviours, and individual, social, and environmental determinants.