Visual perceptual learning is enhanced by training in the illusory far space

Visual objects in the peripersonal space (PPS), are perceived faster than farther ones, appearing in the extrapersonal space (EPS). This shows preferential processing for visual stimuli near our body. Such an advantage should favor visual perceptual learning occurring near, as compared to far from observers, but opposite evidence has been recently provided from online testing protocols, showing larger perceptual learning in the far space. Here, we ran two laboratory-based experiments investigating whether visual training in PPS and EPS has different effects. We used the horizontal Ponzo Illusion to create a lateralized depth perspective while participants completed a visual search task in which they reported whether or not a specific target object orientation (e.g., a triangle pointing upward) was present amongst distractors. This task was completed before and after a training phase in either the (illusory) near or far space for one hour. In Experiment 1, the near space was in the left hemispace, whereas in Experiment 2 it was in the right. Results showed that, in both experiments, participants were more accurate after training in the far space, whereas training in the near space led to either improvement in the far space (Exp. 1), or no change (Exp. 2). Moreover, we found a larger visual perceptual learning when stimuli were presented in the left compared to the right hemispace. Differently from visual processing, visual perceptual learning is more effective in the far space. We propose that depth is a key dimension that can be used to improve human visual learning

History of vasomotor symptoms, extent of coronary artery disease, and clinical outcomes after acute coronary syndrome in postmenopausal women

Vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopausal transition have been linked to a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors, subclinical vascular disease, and subsequent vascular events. We aim to investigate the association of VMS with the extent of coronary disease and their prognostic role after an acute coronary syndrome

Impact of renal dysfunction and acute kidney injury on outcome in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Chronic kidney disease is common in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome and its prevalence dramatically increases with age. Understanding the determinants of adverse outcomes in this extremely high-risk population may be useful for the development of specific treatment strategies and planning of secondary prevention modalities