fMRI of peripheral visual field representation.
OBJECTIVE
Despite mapping tools for central visual field, delineation of peripheral visual field representations in the human cortex has remained a challenge. Access to large visual field and differentiation of retinotopic areas with robust mapping procedures and automated analysis are beneficial in basic research and could accelerate development of clinical applications.


METHODS
We constructed a simple optical near view system for wide visual field stimulation, and examined the topology of retinotopic areas. We used multifocal (mf) design, which enables analysis with general linear model and standard fMRI softwares and is easily automated.


RESULTS
Our stimulation method enabled individual mapping of visual field up to 50 degrees of eccentricity and showed that retinotopic visual areas extended through posterior cerebrum. In addition, we located a separate peripheral upper visual field representation in parieto-occipital (PO) sulcus.


CONCLUSIONS
These functional results are in line with earlier histological data, and support recent findings on human V6, a retinotopic area in the medial PO sulcus with an apparent emphasis on peripheral visual field.


CONCLUSIONS
Our projection system and mf-design together enable efficient and robust retinotopic mapping of wide visual field, which can at low cost be adapted to any clinical environment with visual back-projection system.
Stenbacka
Linda
L
Brain Research Unit, Low Temperature Laboratory and Advanced Magnetic Imaging Centre, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, Finland. stenback@neuro.hut.fi
Vanni
Simo
S
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000098:blood supply*
D010100:Oxygen