Support Visual Snow Syndrome Research
The Visual Snow Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to global awareness, education, resources, patient advocacy, treatment development, and research for Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS). The details of the studies we are funding can be found below. Thank you so much for your support!
Current areas of study for VSI-funded research include:
• Identifying biomarkers and further understanding those which have recently been identified (i.e. abnormalities in serotoninergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission)
• Understanding the pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms of VSS as a network disorder
• Using this data to identify potential safe, targeted, and effective treatments for VSS; this includes both pharmacological and additional noninvasive interventions
Methods include:
• Brain imaging using the most powerful state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques, including a 7-Tesla MRI
• Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to test the distribution of different chemical receptors in the brain
• Receptor-Enriched Analysis of Functional Connectivity by Targets (REACT) approach
• Utilizing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy modified for VSS symptoms (MBCT-vision) to alter the brain’s visual network and neural pathways to alleviate symptoms
• Blood samples
• Electroencephalography (EEG)
• Neuromodulation
• Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy (NORT) to strengthen visual function, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life
• Visual tests
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) / Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Principal investigators include:
• Dr. Francesca Puledda in association with Dr. Peter Goadsby, King’s College London
• Dr. Sui Wong, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation
• Dr. Christoph Schankin and Antonia Klein, Bern University Hospital
• Dr. Victoria Pelak, University of Colorado (Funded by VSI in 2019 and delayed due to the pandemic, Dr. Pelak has stated that her study on rTMS for VSS study is still ongoing.)