RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The human visual cortex response to melanopsin-directed stimulation is accompanied by a distinct perceptual experience
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 138768
DO 10.1101/138768
A1 Manuel Spitschan
A1 Andrew S. Bock
A1 Jack Ryan
A1 Giulia Frazzetta
A1 David H. Brainard
A1 Geoffrey K. Aguirre
YR 2017
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2017/05/17/138768.abstract
AB 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 drives a retinal mechanism distinct from luminance. 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.