RePer-AGE: Reorganization of Visuo-cognitive Functions Based on Peripheral Vision With Aging

Visual recognition depends on the complementary contribution of central and peripheral vision. Central vision provides high spatial resolution and supports the detailed analysis required for object identification, whereas peripheral vision rapidly extracts coarse visual information that provides a global representation of the surrounding environment. According to predictive models of visual processing, this early peripheral information is used to generate predictions that facilitate the subsequent processing of detailed visual inputs.

The RePer-AGE project is based on the hypothesis that peripheral vision plays a key role in predictive visual processing and that this contribution changes during normal aging. Although aging is associated with well-documented declines in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, particularly for high spatial frequencies, several findings suggest that the processing of coarse visual information conveyed by peripheral vision may be relatively preserved. This preserved processing may contribute to compensatory mechanisms supporting visual recognition in older adults.

RePer-AGE is a prospective, monocentric interventional study conducted at Grenoble Alpes University Hospital (CHU Grenoble Alpes) and the Laboratoire de Psychologie et NeuroCognition (LPNC, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes). The study will recruit 160 healthy volunteers divided into two age groups: young adults (18-30 years) and older adults (60-85 years). Participants will undergo an ophthalmological examination to ensure normal or corrected-to-normal vision and the absence of ocular disease likely to affect visual performance. Older participants will also complete a brief cognitive screening assessment.

The project combines complementary behavioral, ophthalmological, and neuroimaging approaches to investigate the respective contributions of central and peripheral vision to visual recognition.

The first research axis combines psychophysical experiments with ophthalmological assessments. Participants perform computerized visual recognition tasks specifically designed to evaluate the relative contribution of central and peripheral vision. Additional ophthalmological examinations include automated static perimetry to assess retinal sensitivity across the visual field and low-luminance visual acuity testing. These measurements will allow the relationship between retinal function and visual recognition performance to be investigated.