Neuro-computational approaches for objective assessment of visual function

Abstract

Retinal pathologies affect the structure and function of post-retinal visual pathways. These post-retinal alterations bear the potential to obstruct the aim of innovative retinal treatment to restore visual function. Current developments in the field of neuroimaging and the associated neurocomputational approaches enable a detailed assessment of this interrelationship. As aconsequence, they open up the possibility to anticipate the success of treatment. This review article demonstrates how innovations particularly in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based anatomical, functional, and diffusion imaging can guide visual pathway assessments that are relevant for ophthalmological applications. Specific examples of retinal and visual pathway pathologies in the context of a detailed analysis of the visual pathway are described. A concept is introduced of how to translate the meaningful but technically and computationally challenging neuroimaging procedures into aclinical setting in order to effectively connect these procedures to innovative treatment approaches.