The human visual cortex response to melanopsin-directed stimulation is accompanied by a distinct perceptual experience

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Manuel SpitschanGeoffrey K Aguirre

Abstract

The photopigment melanopsin supports reflexive visual functions in people, such as pupil constriction and circadian photoentrainment. What contribution melanopsin makes to conscious visual perception is less studied. We devised a stimulus that targeted melanopsin separately from the cones using pulsed (3-s) spectral modulations around a photopic background. Pupillometry confirmed that the melanopsin stimulus evokes a response different from that produced by cone stimulation. In each of four subjects, a functional MRI response in area V1 was found. This response scaled with melanopic contrast and was not easily explained by imprecision in the silencing of the cones. Twenty additional subjects then observed melanopsin pulses and provided a structured rating of the perceptual experience. Melanopsin stimulation was described as an unpleasant, blurry, minimal brightening that quickly faded. We conclude that isolated stimulation of melanopsin is likely associated with a response within the cortical visual pathway and with an evoked conscious percept.

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Citations

Nov 28, 2018·Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science·Harrison McAdamsGeoffrey K Aguirre
May 10, 2019·PloS One·Manuel SpitschanAnnette E Allen
May 30, 2019·Physiological Reviews·Wallace B Thoreson, Dennis M Dacey
Dec 7, 2019·Science·Ludovic S MureSatchidananda Panda
Sep 20, 2019·Somnologie : Schlafforschung und Schlafmedizin = Somnology : sleep research and sleep medicine·Christine BlumeManuel Spitschan
Jun 4, 2020·Annual Review of Vision Science·Robert J LucasTom Woelders
Dec 13, 2018·Frontiers in Neurology·Manuel Spitschan, Tom Woelders
Mar 12, 2019·Frontiers in Neurology·Carina KelbschBarbara J Wilhelm
May 22, 2019·Scientific Reports·Masahiko YamakawaKatsunori Okajima
Jul 10, 2019·Clocks & Sleep·Manuel SpitschanRobert J Lucas
Jun 22, 2019·Annual Review of Vision Science·T Baden, D Osorio
Apr 29, 2020·Clocks & Sleep·Abhishek S PrayagClaude Gronfier
Jul 6, 2020·Scientific Reports·Babak ZandiTran Quoc Khanh
Jul 8, 2020·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Harrison McAdamsGeoffrey K Aguirre
May 24, 2019·Nature Communications·Annette E AllenRobert J Lucas
Nov 7, 2019·Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·Manuel SpitschanChristian Cajochen
Apr 1, 2018·Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, Image Science, and Vision·Dingcai CaoShaoyan Gai
Dec 18, 2018·Frontiers in Neurology·Maria A Bonmati-CarrionDebra J Skene
Dec 24, 2019·Translational Vision Science & Technology·Elisa CastaldiMaria Concetta Morrone
Aug 16, 2019·Journal of Vision·Manuel Spitschan
May 14, 2020·Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, Image Science, and Vision·Tanner DeLawyerKeizo Shinomori
Mar 8, 2020·Behavior Research Methods·Rachel N DenisonMarisa Carrasco
Oct 23, 2020·Clocks & Sleep·Mirjam MünchDebra J Skene
Feb 10, 2021·Clocks & Sleep·Mirjam MünchDebra J Skene
Mar 2, 2021·Biochemical Pharmacology·Stefania EvangelistiRaffaele Lodi
Dec 5, 2019·NeuroImage. Clinical·Athanasios PanorgiasEric A Moulton
Apr 13, 2021·Frontiers in Neurology·Ludovic S Mure
Jul 16, 2021·Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics, Image Science, and Vision·Samir UpretyPrakash Adhikari
Aug 3, 2021·Frontiers in Neurology·Manuel Spitschan
Nov 2, 2020·Biochemical Pharmacology·Anna Wirz-JusticeMirjam Münch
Jul 28, 2021·Vision Research·Mukund PantPrakash Adhikari
Oct 13, 2021·Scientific Reports·Joris VincentGeoffrey K Aguirre

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