Shocking colours - ECT temporarily improves colour perception in a colour-blind patient
Brain stimulation April 28, 2020 Kristian H. R. Jensen, Sofie Trolle Pedersen, Mette Vinther Hansen et al. 2 citations
A 30-year-old woman with depression and red-green color blindness experienced temporary improvements in color perception after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Before ECT, she made 30 mistakes on the Ishihara color blindness test; one hour after her 24th ECT session, she made only 15 mistakes and reported colors appearing brighter and more vivid, though her vision returned to baseline the next day. This case suggests ECT can transiently enhance color discrimination in a color-blind individual, an effect not previously reported. The authors propose possible mechanisms involving altered processing in the thalamus or visual cortex, and note parallels with the heightened color perception reported after psychedelic experiences.