A comparison of the BOLD fMRI response to achromatic, L/M opponent and S-cone opponent cardinal stimuli in human visual cortex: I. perceptually matched vs contrast matched stimuli

Mullen, Kathy T., McMahon, Katie L., Bryant, Martina, De Zubicaray, Greig I. and Hess, Robert F. (2005). A comparison of the BOLD fMRI response to achromatic, L/M opponent and S-cone opponent cardinal stimuli in human visual cortex: I. perceptually matched vs contrast matched stimuli. In: , Journal of Vision: Proceedings of: Vision Sciences Society. Vision Sciences Society, Florida, U.S.A., (95a-95a). May, 2005.


Author Mullen, Kathy T.
McMahon, Katie L.
Bryant, Martina
De Zubicaray, Greig I.
Hess, Robert F.
Title of paper A comparison of the BOLD fMRI response to achromatic, L/M opponent and S-cone opponent cardinal stimuli in human visual cortex: I. perceptually matched vs contrast matched stimuli
Conference Paper Type Published Abstract
Conference name Vision Sciences Society
DOI 10.1167/5.8.95
Conference location Florida, U.S.A.
Conference dates May, 2005
Proceedings title Journal of Vision: Proceedings of: Vision Sciences Society  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Place published Rockville, MD
Publisher Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Publication date 2005
Volume number 5
Issue number 8
ISSN 1534-7362
Start page 95a
End page 95a
Total pages 1
Language eng
Formatted Abstract/Summary Aims:
Our primary aim was to compare the responsiveness of the different visual cortical areas to stimulation of the two cone opponent systems and the achromatic system. The appropriate contrast metric for the comparison of color and luminance sensitivity is unknown, however, and so our secondary aim was to investigate whether equivalent fMRI responses of each cortical area could better be predicted from perceptual matches (in multiples of detection threshold) or a direct contrast match (in cone contrast).

Methods:
MR images were acquired on a 4T Bruker MedSpec. Stimuli were sinewave counter-phasing rings (2Hz, 0.5cpd) cardinal for the selective activation of the L/M cone opponent (RG), S cone opponent (BY) and achromatic (Ach) systems. In different scans, stimuli were matched either at 25x detection threshold or in cone contrast (6%). We performed both stereotaxic and region of interest analyses on early visual areas (V1-V4v, and hMT+).

Results:
For stimuli presented in multiples of detection threshold, BOLD responses in areas V1, V2, V3/VP and V4v are greatest for BY stimuli and weaker for both RG and achromatic stimuli, with the BY response significantly higher than the RG. For the same stimuli matched in cone contrast, the RG and BY response is similar in these areas. The averaged color response (RG & BY) was no different from the achromatic response with the exception of V1, which had a greater averaged color than achromatic response.

Conclusions:
Perceptual visibility is not a good indicator of cortical activity across the RG, BY and achromatic mechanisms. fMRI BOLD signals are better predicted by cone contrast. Regardless of the metric, our data suggest a similar response to color (averaged RG & BY) and achromatic stimuli in V2, V3, VP and V4v. V1 shows a greater response to color, particularly with the cone contrast metric. Areas hMT+ and V3A do not follow these patterns and are discussed in a related abstract (Dumoulin et al).
Subjects 11 Medical and Health Sciences
1103 Clinical Sciences
Keyword Visual cortical
Achromatic system
Cone contrast
Fmri
Cardinal stimuli
Human Visual-cortex
Q-Index Code EX
Q-Index Status Provisional Code
Institutional Status Unknown
Additional Notes Abstract 95

Document type: Conference Paper
Sub-type: Published Abstract
Collections: Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) - Collection
Centre for Advanced Imaging Publications
 
Versions
Version Filter Type
Citation counts: Google Scholar Search Google Scholar
Access Statistics: 38 Abstract Views  -  Detailed Statistics
Created: Thu, 10 Dec 2009, 12:04:52 EST by Ms May Balasaize on behalf of Faculty of Science