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Monocular Visual Deprivation and Ocular Dominance Plasticity Measurement in the Mouse Primary Visual Cortex
Published on: February 8, 2020
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Ocular dominance plasticity: inhibitory interactions and contrast equivalence
Daniel P Spiegel1, Alex S Baldwin1, Robert F Hess1
1McGill Vision Research Department of Ophthalmology McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Scientific Reports
|January 11, 2017
Summary
Briefly patching one eye (monocular occlusion) changes which eye dominates vision. This study shows active suppression and dichoptic inhibition are key mechanisms behind this visual plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vision Science
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Monocular occlusion causes a temporary shift in ocular dominance.
- The previously patched eye contributes more to binocular vision post-occlusion.
- Understanding the mechanisms of this visual plasticity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in fusion, suppression, and diplopia perception after short-term monocular deprivation.
- To elucidate the role of dichoptic inhibition in ocular dominance shifts.
Main Methods:
- Monocular deprivation was induced briefly.
- Perceptual changes in fusion, suppression, and diplopia were measured.
- Interventions like interocular contrast imbalance were used to test reversibility.
Main Results:
- Fusible stimuli presented to the unpatched eye were actively suppressed post-occlusion.
- This suppression could be reversed by altering interocular contrast.
- Dichoptic inhibition appears to be a significant factor.
Conclusions:
- Dichoptic inhibition plays a critical role in visual plasticity induced by short-term monocular occlusion.
- This inhibition may alter contrast gain before binocular summation.
- The findings help explain plasticity's effect on both fusible and rivalrous stimuli perception.
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