Neural Mechanisms, Computational Models, and Neurorehabilitation in Visual Processing Disorders

Vision arises from the sophisticated processing of information along the retinocortical pathway. Disruptions to this neural circuitry, due to developmental anomalies, injury, or disease, lead to diverse visual processing disorders such as amblyopia and cortical visual impairment. Understanding these conditions necessitates a multidisciplinary approach integrating neuroscience, computation, and clinical practice. While advances in neuroimaging and computational modeling have deepened insights into neural mechanisms, and novel interventions like perceptual learning show rehabilitative promise, a significant gap remains in synthesizing these perspectives into a unified framework for diagnosis and treatment. This Research Topic aims to address this integrative challenge.

The central problem this Topic addresses is the fragmented knowledge between the fundamental neural mechanisms of visual disorders, their computational characterization, and the development of effective, mechanism-based neurorehabilitation. To bridge this gap, we aim to curate research that explicitly connects these domains. Recent advances, such as high-resolution neuroimaging that delineates circuit-level dysfunction, biophysically plausible computational models that simulate pathology and predict plasticity, and targeted neuromodulation techniques (e.g., tACS), provide the necessary tools. Our goal is to foster a collaborative forum where studies elucidating neural correlates inform the refinement of computational models, which in turn guide the design and optimization of personalized rehabilitation protocols. By doing so, we seek to accelerate the translation of basic and computational discoveries into tangible clinical applications, ultimately improving visual function and quality of life for affected individuals.

This Research Topic seeks contributions that illuminate the neural basis, computational principles, and rehabilitation strategies for visual processing disorders. Specific themes include, but are not limited to:

- Neural mechanisms and plasticity in amblyopia, cortical impairment, and acquired visual deficits.

- Computational models of dysfunctional visual processing and perceptual learning.

- Novel neurorehabilitation approaches using perceptual training, binocular therapy, or non-invasive brain stimulation.

- Neuroimaging and electrophysiological biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

- Critical periods, developmental trajectories, and individual differences in treatment outcomes.

We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Methods, Perspective, and Opinion articles that align with these themes and promote interdisciplinary dialogue.