PROBING PLASTICITY OF COLOR PERCEPTION WITH THE OZ VISION PLATFORM
Abstract
The main scientific goal of this research is to study neural plasticity of the retina and brain – specifically, their capacity to receive and learn to utilize novel patterns of light delivered to the retina. In order to pursue this goal, we are developing a new device, Oz Vision, to enable programming the time-varying activity levels of large numbers of retinal photoreceptors. Our first scientific aim is to probe plasticity in response to novel tristimulus signals (“new colors”) that the retina can only receive through Oz Vision stimulation. Our second aim is to probe neural plasticity in response to signals that boost the color dimension of retinal stimulation patterns – e.g. attempting to elicit normal color vision in a color blind person, or even 4D color vision. Our third aim is to advance basic science into the low-level structure and function of retinal neurocircuits. The Oz Vision platform works by mapping the retina at cellular accuracy, tracking its constant movements in real-time, and delivering a programmable laser micro-dose to each cone cell at video rate. For example, the micro-doses may be computed by simulating the viewer looking upon a scene with an imaginary retina that contains four types of cone cells sensitive to blue, green, red and infrared wavelengths. We have built a prototype system by augmenting an Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope. Early tests show that we can controllably elicit perceptions of different colors using a single laser wavelength – an unprecedented capability. If the brain possesses the plasticity that we hypothesize in our scientific aims, the technology would: enable new display devices that show a fundamentally larger number of colors, provide novel tools in the treatment of color vision deficiency, and fundamentally enrich the delivery of information to the brain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010195
Entities
People
- Ren Ng
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California Regents