The Visual Snow Initiative (VSI) is pleased to share the latest annual report from King’s College London, highlighting the continued progress of Dr. Francesca Puledda, Dr. Peter Goadsby, and their team in advancing the scientific understanding of Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS).
Affecting an estimated 2-3% of the global population of all ages, Visual Snow Syndrome is a neurological condition in which individuals experience continuous visual static along with a range of visual, non-visual, and sensory symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life. For countless years, VSS has been frequently misdiagnosed, under-recognized, under-researched, and underfunded. Progress was limited by gaps in awareness of VSS, especially in medical education and clinical recognition, as well as gaps in understanding of its underlying neurobiology. Through sustained support from VSI and the VSS community, the King’s College London team is helping to change this landscape using advanced brain imaging, neurophysiology, neuropharmacology (medication), genetics, and perceptual science.
Major Milestones in VSS Research
A central focus of the report is the development of objective biomarkers and a deeper biological understanding of Visual Snow Syndrome through integrated neuroimaging, neurophysiology, pharmacology, genetics, and perceptual science. Together, these complementary approaches aim to move VSS research from descriptive observation toward measurable mechanisms of brain function.
Neurophysiology and Cortical Network Dynamics
A key component of the work is neurophysiology research using TMS combined with EEG. This non-invasive technique stimulates targeted brain regions and records the resulting electrical activity, allowing direct assessment of cortical excitability and network behavior.
Led by PhD student Viviana Santoro, this study has now completed data collection across three groups: healthy participants, individuals with Visual Snow Syndrome, and individuals with migraine. Data analysis is currently underway, with a scientific publication planned for submission by late 2026 or early 2027. This work is central to defining a potential neurophysiological signature of VSS and distinguishing it from overlapping migraine biology.
Additional electrophysiological approaches, including high-density EEG and visual evoked potentials, further support this effort by enabling more detailed mapping of sensory processing and cortical response patterns.
Neuroimaging and Cortical Metabolism
Another major research stream focuses on ultra-high-field 7 Tesla MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). This work investigates sensory processing and visual perception in VSS at a highly detailed neurobiological level.
A key aim is to identify biomarkers of cortical connectivity and neuronal metabolism that characterize Visual Snow Syndrome. This includes measuring metabolic activity in the visual cortex using proton spectroscopy, alongside functional assessments of visual processing using advanced spectroscopic techniques.
The study also directly measures neurotransmitters such as GABA and glutamate within the visual cortex. These play a critical role in regulating the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain, a system that may be altered in VSS. Study protocols have been finalized, pilot data has been collected, and ethical approval is currently in progress.
Pharmacology and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms
A further major development is the introduction of a pharmacological research component investigating GABAergic signaling in cortical inhibition and symptom expression.
This mechanistic study uses controlled administration of GABAA receptor agonists and antagonists to assess how modulation of inhibitory and excitatory signaling affects symptoms, neuropsychological measures, and cortical activity. Importantly, this is not a treatment trial.
Repeated TMS/EEG assessments before and after medication administration allow researchers to track changes in cortical biomarkers over time and examine how modulation of neurotransmitter systems influences visual cortex metabolism and function. The goal is to deepen understanding of underlying neurobiology and inform future therapeutic development.
Genetics and Epidemiology
Genetic research is being advanced through collaboration with TwinsUK, one of the world’s largest and most clinically detailed adult twin registries.
The aim is to integrate a dedicated Visual Snow Syndrome questionnaire into the cohort to enable large-scale epidemiological and genetic analysis. This may help clarify susceptibility patterns and potential hereditary contributions to VSS. The project is currently progressing through the required regulatory and ethical approval processes.
Perceptual Processing and Sensory Modeling
In parallel, the VISIONS study is investigating perceptual processing and sensory filtering in VSS using structured behavioral visual paradigms.
This includes assessment of synaesthesia-related traits and the use of augmented reality tools designed to simulate aspects of visual snow perception. These methods aim to better characterize how sensory information is processed, filtered, and interpreted in individuals with VSS. Pilot testing and task optimization are currently ongoing.
Research Leadership and Expansion
A particularly notable development is the awarding of a Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist Fellowship to Dr. Francesca Puledda. This five-year fellowship will expand research capacity and support a broader, integrated program focused on identifying the neural mechanisms underlying Visual Snow Syndrome.
Thank you
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Puledda, Dr. Goadsby, the research team at King’s College London, and every member of the Visual Snow Initiative community whose sustained support, collaboration, and commitment make this work possible. Their combined efforts continue to advance rigorous, multidisciplinary research across neuroimaging, neurophysiology, pharmacology, genetics, and perceptual science, helping to deepen scientific understanding of Visual Snow Syndrome and strengthen its recognition within the broader medical field.
For the VSS community, this report represents hope, momentum, and validation. While considerable progress remains to be made and rigorous research takes time, the work described by King’s College London reflects steady and meaningful advancement in how Visual Snow Syndrome is being understood.
Together, this progress reflects continued momentum toward identifying measurable biological mechanisms underlying VSS and translating scientific discovery into meaningful clinical insight. This collaboration is helping to build a stronger foundation for future diagnostic tools, objective biomarkers, and ultimately, more targeted and effective treatment options for those affected by Visual Snow Syndrome.
Read the Full Report
We invite everyone to read the full King’s College London annual report to learn more about the research progress made possible through VSI and the continued support of the Visual Snow Syndrome community.