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Lateralization of pupillary light reflex parameters.
Karl-Jürgen Bär1, Michael Karl Boettger, Silke Till
1Department of Psychiatry, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Philosophenweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany. karl-juergen.baer@med.uni-jena.de
Summary
Pupillary light reflex (PLR) parameters show significant differences between the left and right eyes. The right eye, dominated by the parasympathetic nervous system, was unaffected by external factors, suggesting functional lateralization.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is a fundamental neurological response.
- Investigating inter-eye differences in PLR may reveal insights into autonomic nervous system lateralization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if left and right eyes exhibit differing reactions in pupillary light reflex (PLR) parameters.
- To explore potential functional lateralization of autonomic control.
Main Methods:
- Infrared pupillometry was employed to measure pupil diameter, latency, amplitude, contraction/dilation velocity, and redilation time.
- 90 healthy subjects participated across three test series, with varying testing orders and conditions, including investigations without verbal cues.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in PLR parameters were observed between the left and right eyes.
- The right eye's pupil diameter was not influenced by vocal instructions or changes in the testing side, unlike the left eye.
Conclusions:
- PLR parameters may serve as indicators of functional lateralization within the central nervous system's autonomic control.
- The high sensitivity of pupillometry makes it valuable for psychophysiological investigations, accounting for factors like arousal and time of day.