Open AccessBrief visual stimulation allows mapping of ocular dominance in visual cortex using fMRI
Author(s) -
Goodyear Bradley G.,
Me Ravi S.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.1053
Subject(s) - visual cortex , functional magnetic resonance imaging , ocular dominance column , stimulus (psychology) , neuroscience , stimulation , psychology , ocular dominance , haemodynamic response , photic stimulation , visual perception , medicine , cognitive psychology , perception , heart rate , blood pressure
We have used high spatial resolution (0.55 mm × 0.55 mm) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show that when stimulus duration is brief (<6 sec), the hyperoxic hemodynamic response to neural activity can resolve the columnar architecture of ocular dominance within the primary visual cortex of humans. Our fMRI maps of ocular dominance columns are strikingly similar in appearance, size, and orientation to those reported in the literature using optical imaging of intrinsic signals (OIS) in animal cortex and histology of post‐mortem human specimens. We also demonstrate that under brief visual stimulation conditions, our results are consistent over repeated experiments. This is not the case for long duration stimuli (≥10 sec). A simulated random data set exhibited the same response properties as maps obtained when using these prolonged visual stimuli. Our results suggest that brief visual stimulation is essential for fMRI to successfully resolve ocular dominance columns using the hyperoxic phase of the hemodynamic response to neural activity at our prescribed spatial resolution. Hum. Brain Mapping 14:210–217, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.