Visual Snow Initiative

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 possible medications/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

• Utilizing visual tests and blood samples

• Electroencephalography (EEG)

• Neuromodulation

• Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Therapy (NORT) to strengthen visual function, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) / Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Principal investigators include:

Possible medication (i.e. pharmacological intervention) to treat Visual Snow Syndrome

Dr. Peter Goadsby, Dr. Francesca Puledda, Dr. Christoph Schankin, and Sarah Aeschlimann

Biomarkers, measurements (TMS, EEG, and 7-Tesla fMRI), and identifying treatments for Visual Snow Syndrome

Dr. Francesca Puledda in association with Dr. Peter Goadsby, King’s College London

MBCT to treat Visual Snow Syndrome symptoms (fMRI measurements and RCT)

Dr. Sui Wong, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation

Neuromodulation, tACS, and EEG to treat and further understand Visual Snow Syndrome as a network disorder

Dr. Christoph Schankin and Antonia Klein, Bern University Hospital

TMS/rTMS to improve symptoms and visual dysfunction associated with Visual Snow Syndrome

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.)