Sensory Substitution for Vision Loss

This study is exploring how the brain adapts when visual information is turned into patterns of sound or touch. Researchers are using two devices: the BrainPort, which translates video into gentle electrical pulses on the tongue, and AI Sight, which converts visual information into sound patterns you hear through headphones. Some participants will also use a sham device, which looks like the others but doesn't provide active signals. The study aims to see if these devices can improve visual performance in people who are blind or blindfolded, and how the brain changes in response. You may be able to join if you are 8 to 85 years old and blind, or 18 to 85 years old with normal vision. The study will measure how many correct responses you give on visual tasks, how quickly you respond, and your brain's metabolic profile after 5 weeks.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 200 participants. It will compare how individuals with and without long-term vision loss respond to these signals.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be assessed at 5 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07450677

Sensory Substitution and Brain Plasticity Following Vision Loss

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 8–85InterventionalBasic science
Stanford University
~200 participants
Updated 2026-03-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Electrotactile display (BrainPort)Vision-to-sound converter (AI Sight)Sham

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Number of correct responses to visual performance tasks
Measured over 5 weeks
+3 more outcomes measured
Blindness

NCT07450677

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University

    Palo Alto, Californiastudy coordinator listed

  • LUCAS Center for Imaging

    Stanford, Californiastudy coordinator listed

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

  • Kevin C. Chan, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Stanford University

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

  • Number of correct responses to visual performance tasks5 weeks

    Measuring the change in the number of correct responses to visual performance tasks from baseline to week 5.

  • Reaction time to visual performance tasks5 weeks

    Measuring the change in reaction time to visual performance tasks from baseline to week 5.

  • Metabolic brain profile5 weeks

    Measuring the change in neurometabolic markers by magnetic resonance spectroscopy from baseline to week 5.

  • Blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional brain activity level5 weeks

    Measuring the change in blood-oxygenation-level-dependent brain activity level by T2\*-weighted functional magnetic resonance imaging from baseline to week 5.