Lateral modulation of BOLD activation in unstimulated regions of the human visual cortex.
After staring at a blank region surrounded by a dynamic background for a few seconds, observers report a twinkle aftereffect in the unstimulated blank region. The significance of this twinkle aftereffect is that it occurs at a location that received no stimulation, and therefore reflects a rebound from lateral inhibition within the dynamic processing system. To study this inhibitory rebound effect, the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) activation in the visual cortex was measured while the observers were viewing a flickering pin-wheel pattern alternating with a blank test. Retinotopic regions corresponding to the inter-wedge regions in the pin-wheel pattern showed activation negatively correlated with the test sequence. While the BOLD activation in the visual cortex is generally considered to be retinotopically driven by the visual stimuli, we were able to show a sustained negative activation in the unstimulated regions, with properties that correspond to those of the inhibitory rebound of the perceived aftereffect.
Chen
Chien-Chung
CC
The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. chen@ski.org
Tyler
Christopher W
CW
Liu
Chia-Li
CL
Wang
Yao-Hong
YH
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D005366:Figural Aftereffect / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology
D010100:Oxygen