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Assessing Pupil-linked Changes in Locus Coeruleus-mediated Arousal Elicited by Trigeminal Stimulation
Published on: November 26, 2019
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Pupil Size as a Window on Neural Substrates of Cognition
Siddhartha Joshi1, Joshua I Gold1
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|April 26, 2020
Summary
Pupil size changes reveal brain activity. This review links pupil dynamics to three key neural systems: the pretectal olivary nucleus (PON), superior colliculus (SC), and locus coeruleus (LC)-norepinephrine system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Pupil modulations are linked to cognitive processes.
- Understanding the neural basis of pupil changes is crucial for interpreting cognitive data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neural systems underlying cognitively driven pupil modulations.
- To connect pupil measurements to specific brain functions and neural systems.
- To identify future research directions for pupil-based cognitive assessment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on pupil modulation and neural systems.
- Analysis of findings related to the pretectal olivary nucleus (PON), superior colliculus (SC), and locus coeruleus (LC).
Main Results:
- Cortical modulation of the PON controls the pupillary light reflex.
- The SC mediates pupil changes to salient stimuli and orienting responses.
- The LC-norepinephrine system links arousal, pupil dynamics, and cognition.
Conclusions:
- Pupil measurements can inform about the activation of specific neural systems.
- Further research is needed to refine interpretations of pupil dynamics and underlying neural activity.
