Inducing lateralized phosphenes over the occipital lobe using transcranial magnetic stimulation to navigate a virtual environment

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249996
• Publication Date: 2021-04-14T21:36:14Z
• Authors: Adonay N. Gebrehiwot; Tatsuya Kato; Kimitaka Nakazawa
• Keywords: Phosphene; Visual prosthesis; Occipital lobe

Electrical stimulation involving visual areas of the brain produces artificial light percepts called phosphenes. These have been extensively investigated in previous studies intracortical microsimulation (ICMS) and serve as basis for developing a prosthesis blind. Although advances achieved, many challenges still remain with implementing functional ICMS rehabilitation purposes. Transcranial magnetic (TMS) over primary occipital lobe offers an alternative method to produce phosphenes non-invasively. A main challenge facing blind individuals involves navigation. Within scientific community, methods evaluate ability facilitate navigation has neglected. In this study, we investigate effectiveness evoking lateralized navigate computer simulated virtual environment. More importantly, demonstrate how environments along development share mutual relationship benefiting both patients researchers. Using two TMS devices, pair 40mm figure-of-eight coils were placed each hemisphere resulting phosphene perception. Participants tasked making series left right turns using peripheral devices depending on hemifield which is present. If participant was able accurately perceive all ten phosphenes, target advance fully exit Our findings that participants can interpret while highlighting integration based capability during