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Contemori G, Maniglia M, Guénot J, Soler V, Cherubini M, Cottereau BR, Trotter Y. tRNS boosts visual perceptual learning in participants with bilateral macular degeneration. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1326435. [PMID: 38450381 PMCID: PMC10914974 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1326435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Perceptual learning (PL) has shown promise in enhancing residual visual functions in patients with age-related macular degeneration (MD), however it requires prolonged training and evidence of generalization to untrained visual functions is limited. Recent studies suggest that combining transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) with perceptual learning produces faster and larger visual improvements in participants with normal vision. Thus, this approach might hold the key to improve PL effects in MD. To test this, we trained two groups of MD participants on a contrast detection task with (n = 5) or without (n = 7) concomitant occipital tRNS. The training consisted of a lateral masking paradigm in which the participant had to detect a central low contrast Gabor target. Transfer tasks, including contrast sensitivity, near and far visual acuity, and visual crowding, were measured at pre-, mid and post-tests. Combining tRNS and perceptual learning led to greater improvements in the trained task, evidenced by a larger increment in contrast sensitivity and reduced inhibition at the shortest target to flankers' distance. The overall amount of transfer was similar between the two groups. These results suggest that coupling tRNS and perceptual learning has promising potential applications as a clinical rehabilitation strategy to improve vision in MD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Contemori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Marcello Maniglia
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Jade Guénot
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France
| | - Vincent Soler
- Service d’Ophtalmologie Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Marta Cherubini
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Benoit R. Cottereau
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France
| | - Yves Trotter
- Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Toulouse, France
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Malpica S, Martin D, Serrano A, Gutierrez D, Masia B. Task-Dependent Visual Behavior in Immersive Environments: A Comparative Study of Free Exploration, Memory and Visual Search. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2023; 29:4417-4425. [PMID: 37788210 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2023.3320259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Visual behavior depends on both bottom-up mechanisms, where gaze is driven by the visual conspicuity of the stimuli, and top-down mechanisms, guiding attention towards relevant areas based on the task or goal of the viewer. While this is well-known, visual attention models often focus on bottom-up mechanisms. Existing works have analyzed the effect of high-level cognitive tasks like memory or visual search on visual behavior; however, they have often done so with different stimuli, methodology, metrics and participants, which makes drawing conclusions and comparisons between tasks particularly difficult. In this work we present a systematic study of how different cognitive tasks affect visual behavior in a novel within-subjects design scheme. Participants performed free exploration, memory and visual search tasks in three different scenes while their eye and head movements were being recorded. We found significant, consistent differences between tasks in the distributions of fixations, saccades and head movements. Our findings can provide insights for practitioners and content creators designing task-oriented immersive applications.
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Shepherd JL, Vice J, Shultz HL, Davis MM, Hseih J, Yuen HK, Vogtle LK. Possession of Low Vision Reading Devices Among Residents Living in a Retirement Facility. JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/0145482x221105891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The purpose of this cross-sectional survey was to examine the possession of low vision reading devices and factors associated with possession of these devices among residents living in a continuing care retirement community. Low vision reading devices are devices other than eyeglasses that aid in reading at near distances. Methods: One hundred and two usable questionnaires were received from residents, ages 65–97 years old, living in the independent and assisted living units of a retirement community. Results: Data indicated that 47% the participants reported having an eye disease, and 53% of the participants owned at least one low vision reading device. The two most common types of devices were handheld magnifiers (40%) and gooseneck lamps with or without a magnifier (26%). Of the 48 participants reported to have eye disease diagnoses, 65% owned a reading device. Forty-six percent of the participants reported having trouble with reading when performing one of the six daily activities even with their reading eyeglasses. The final multivariable logistic regression model indicated that participants who reported having trouble with reading in near distance were significantly more likely to own one of the reading devices. Discussion: This study identified a discrepancy between the high prevalence of visual impairment (i.e., blindness and low vision) among residents living in a retirement community setting and a relatively low number of residents owning low vision reading devices. Findings suggested the key factor contributing to residents’ decision to own reading devices is their level of visual impairment. Implications for Practitioners: Knowing the factors to owning low vision reading devices, occupational therapists may assist residents in continuing care retirement facilities to obtain the appropriate devices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason Vice
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hannah L. Shultz
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Martin M. Davis
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Justin Hseih
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Hon K. Yuen
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Laura K. Vogtle
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Shahi SK. Acute retinal necrosis results in low vision in a young patient with a history of herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Clin Exp Optom 2021; 100:208-213. [DOI: 10.1111/cxo.12449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Auditory stimuli degrade visual performance in virtual reality. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12363. [PMID: 32703981 PMCID: PMC7378072 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69135-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
We report an auditory effect of visual performance degradation in a virtual reality (VR) setting, where the viewing conditions are significantly different from previous studies. With the presentation of temporally congruent but spatially incongruent sound, we can degrade visual performance significantly at detection and recognition levels. We further show that this effect is robust to different types and locations of both auditory and visual stimuli. We also analyze participants behavior with an eye tracker to study the underlying cause of the degradation effect. We find that the performance degradation occurs even in the absence of saccades towards the sound source, during normal gaze behavior. This suggests that this effect is not caused by oculomotor phenomena, but rather by neural interactions or attentional shifts.
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6
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Patrick JA, Roach NW, McGraw PV. Temporal modulation improves dynamic peripheral acuity. J Vis 2019; 19:12. [PMID: 31747690 PMCID: PMC6871547 DOI: 10.1167/19.13.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Macular degeneration and related visual disorders greatly limit foveal function, resulting in reliance on the peripheral retina for tasks requiring fine spatial vision. Here we investigate stimulus manipulations intended to maximize peripheral acuity for dynamic targets. Acuity was measured using a single interval orientation discrimination task at 10° eccentricity. Two types of image motion were investigated along with two different forms of temporal manipulation. Smooth object motion was generated by translating targets along an isoeccentric path at a constant speed (0-20°/s). Ocular motion was simulated by jittering target location using previously recorded fixational eye movement data, amplified by a variable gain factor (0-8). In one stimulus manipulation, the sequence was temporally subsampled by displaying the target on an evenly spaced subset of video frames. In the other, the contrast polarity of the stimulus was reversed at a variable rate. We found that threshold under object motion was improved at all speeds by reversing contrast polarity, while temporal subsampling improved resolution at high speeds but impaired performance at low speeds. With simulated ocular motion, thresholds were consistently improved by contrast polarity reversal, but impaired by temporal subsampling. We find that contrast polarity reversal and temporal subsampling produce differential effects on peripheral acuity. Applying contrast polarity reversal may offer a relatively simple image manipulation that could enhance visual performance in individuals with central vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Patrick
- Nottingham Visual Neuroscience, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Neil W Roach
- Nottingham Visual Neuroscience, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Paul V McGraw
- Nottingham Visual Neuroscience, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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7
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Mikellidou K, Arrighi R, Aghakhanyan G, Tinelli F, Frijia F, Crespi S, De Masi F, Montanaro D, Morrone MC. Plasticity of the human visual brain after an early cortical lesion. Neuropsychologia 2017; 128:166-177. [PMID: 29100949 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In adults, partial damage to V1 or optic radiations abolishes perception in the corresponding part of the visual field, causing a scotoma. However, it is widely accepted that the developing cortex has superior capacities to reorganize following an early lesion to endorse adaptive plasticity. Here we report a single patient case (G.S.) with near normal central field vision despite a massive unilateral lesion to the optic radiations acquired early in life. The patient underwent surgical removal of a right hemisphere parieto-temporal-occipital atypical choroid plexus papilloma of the right lateral ventricle at four months of age, which presumably altered the visual pathways during in utero development. Both the tumor and surgery severely compromised the optic radiations. Residual vision of G.S. was tested psychophysically when the patient was 7 years old. We found a close-to-normal visual acuity and contrast sensitivity within the central 25° and a great impairment in form and contrast vision in the far periphery (40-50°) of the left visual hemifield. BOLD response to full field luminance flicker was recorded from the primary visual cortex (V1) and in a region in the residual temporal-occipital region, presumably corresponding to the middle temporal complex (MT+), of the lesioned (right) hemisphere. A population receptive field analysis of the BOLD responses to contrast modulated stimuli revealed a retinotopic organization just for the MT+ region but not for the calcarine regions. Interestingly, consistent islands of ipsilateral activity were found in MT+ and in the parieto-occipital sulcus (POS) of the intact hemisphere. Probabilistic tractography revealed that optic radiations between LGN and V1 were very sparse in the lesioned hemisphere consistently with the post-surgery cerebral resection, while normal in the intact hemisphere. On the other hand, strong structural connections between MT+ and LGN were found in the lesioned hemisphere, while the equivalent tract in the spared hemisphere showed minimal structural connectivity. These results suggest that during development of the pathological brain, abnormal thalamic projections can lead to functional cortical changes, which may mediate functional recovery of vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mikellidou
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Arrighi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - G Aghakhanyan
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Frijia
- UOC Bioingegneria e Ingegneria Clinica, Fondazione CNR/Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Crespi
- Department of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Unit of Experimental Psychology, Division of Neuroscience, Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy; Neuroradiology Unit - CERMAC, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - F De Masi
- Division of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Pisa, Italy
| | - D Montanaro
- Unità di Neuroradiologia, Fondazione CNR/Regione Toscana G. Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
| | - M C Morrone
- Department of Translational Research on New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.
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Kim HG, Lee SI, Man Ro Y. Experimental investigation of the effect of binocular disparity on the visibility threshold of asymmetric noise in stereoscopic viewing. OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 24:19607-19615. [PMID: 27557239 DOI: 10.1364/oe.24.019607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Stereoscopic images could have asymmetric distortions caused by image processing in capture, synthesis, and compression of them. In 3D perception in stereoscopic display, the visibility threshold of the asymmetric distortions in the left and right images is important, which is tolerable to the human visual system. In this paper, we investigate the effect of the binocular disparity on the visibility threshold of asymmetric noises in stereoscopic images via subjective assessments. Existing just-noticeable-difference (JND) models for stereoscopic images have not taken into account the effect of the disparity in stereoscopic viewing. In this paper, we subjectively assessed the visibility threshold of asymmetric noises in stereoscopic images according to the disparity. Subjective evaluations showed that large disparity magnitudes could make more tolerable to perceive the asymmetric noises in the stereoscopic viewing.
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Tarita-Nistor L, Brent MH, Markowitz SN, Steinbach MJ, González EG. Maximum reading speed and binocular summation in patients with central vision loss. Can J Ophthalmol 2013; 48:443-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjo.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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10
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Kao CH, Chen CC. Seeing visual word forms: spatial summation, eccentricity and spatial configuration. Vision Res 2012; 62:57-65. [PMID: 22497868 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2012.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2011] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We investigated observers' performance in detecting and discriminating visual word forms as a function of target size and retinal eccentricity. The contrast threshold of visual words was measured with a spatial two-alternative forced-choice paradigm and a PSI adaptive method. The observers were to indicate which of two sides contained a stimulus in the detection task, and which contained a real character (as opposed to a pseudo- or non-character) in the discrimination task. When the target size was sufficiently small, the detection threshold of a character decreased as its size increased, with a slope of -1/2 on log-log coordinates, up to a critical size at all eccentricities and for all stimulus types. The discrimination threshold decreased with target size with a slope of -1 up to a critical size that was dependent on stimulus type and eccentricity. Beyond that size, the threshold decreased with a slope of -1/2 on log-log coordinates before leveling out. The data was well fit by a spatial summation model that contains local receptive fields (RFs) and a summation across these filters within an attention window. Our result implies that detection is mediated by local RFs smaller than any tested stimuli and thus detection performance is dominated by summation across receptive fields. On the other hand, discrimination is dominated by a summation within a local RF in the fovea but a cross RF summation in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hui Kao
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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The what and why of perceptual asymmetries in the visual domain. Adv Cogn Psychol 2010; 6:103-15. [PMID: 21228922 PMCID: PMC3019986 DOI: 10.2478/v10053-008-0080-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 06/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Perceptual asymmetry is one of the most important characteristics of our visual
functioning. We carefully reviewed the scientific literature in order to examine
such asymmetries, separating them into two major categories: within-visual field
asymmetries and between-visual field asymmetries. We explain these asymmetries
in terms of perceptual aspects or tasks, the what of the
asymmetries; and in terms of underlying mechanisms, the why of
the asymmetries. Tthe within-visual field asymmetries are fundamental to
orientation, motion direction, and spatial frequency processing. between-visual
field asymmetries have been reported for a wide range of perceptual phenomena.
foveal dominance over the periphery, in particular, has been prominent for
visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and colour discrimination. Tthis also holds
true for object or face recognition and reading performance. upper-lower visual
field asymmetries in favour of the lower have been demonstrated for temporal and
contrast sensitivities, visual acuity, spatial resolution, orientation, hue and
motion processing. Iin contrast, the upper field advantages have been seen in
visual search, apparent size, and object recognition tasks. left-right visual
field asymmetries include the left field dominance in spatial (e.g.,
orientation) processing and the right field dominance in non-spatial (e.g.,
temporal) processing. left field is also better at low spatial frequency or
global and coordinate spatial processing, whereas the right field is better at
high spatial frequency or local and categorical spatial processing. All these
asymmetries have inborn neural/physiological origins, the primary
why, but can be also susceptible to visual experience, the
critical why (promotes or blocks the asymmetries by
altering neural functions).
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Lavidor M, Alexander T, McGraw PV. Word Recognition Processes Modulate the Naso-Temporal Asymmetry of the Human Visual Field. Perception 2009; 38:1536-41. [DOI: 10.1068/p6078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Many visual tasks display a well-documented naso-temporal asymmetry (NTA), where sensitivity is greater to stimuli presented in the temporal hemifield. Four-letter strings were presented at various eccentricities under monocular vision conditions, and observers were asked to classify the stimuli as ‘words’ or ‘non-words’ in a lexical decision task (experiment 1). In experiment 2, the same observers had to classify the stimuli as ‘darker’ or ‘lighter’ (contrast discrimination). Apart from the task, the visual conditions and stimuli were identical in both experiments. The typical temporal hemifield advantage was found for a contrast discrimination task in both English and Hebrew readers, but only for lexical decision judgments in Hebrew readers. The lack of the expected NTA in English readers that was observed only for a reading but not a low-level visual task indicates that language lateralisation and reading-related learning can override fundamental, anatomically based, visual asymmetries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Lavidor
- Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Tim Alexander
- Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Paul V McGraw
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
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Schira MM, Wade AR, Tyler CW. Two-Dimensional Mapping of the Central and Parafoveal Visual Field to Human Visual Cortex. J Neurophysiol 2007; 97:4284-95. [PMID: 17360817 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00972.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Primate visual cortex contains a set of maps of visual space. These maps are fundamental to early visual processing, yet their form is not fully understood in humans. This is especially true for the central and most important part of the visual field—the fovea. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the mapping geometry of human V1 and V2 down to 0.5° of eccentricity. By applying automated atlas fitting procedures to parametrize and average retinotopic measurements of eight brains, we provide a reference standard for the two-dimensional geometry of human early visual cortex of unprecedented precision and analyze this high-quality mean dataset with respect to the 2-dimensional cortical magnification morphometry. The analysis indicates that 1) area V1 has meridional isotropy in areal projection: equal areas of visual space are mapped to equal areas of cortex at any given eccentricity. 2) V1 has a systematic pattern of local anisotropies: cortical magnification varies between isopolar and isoeccentricity lines, and 3) the shape of V1 deviates systematically from the complex-log model, the fit of which is particularly poor close to the fovea. We therefore propose that human V1 be fitted by models based on an equal-area principle of its two-dimensional magnification. 4) V2 is elongated by a factor of 2 in eccentricity direction relative to V1 and has significantly more local anisotropy. We propose that V2 has systematic intrinsic curvature, but V1 is intrinsically flat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark M Schira
- Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, 2318 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.
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