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Published on: September 28, 2018
Changing Sensory Eye Dominance With Theta Burst Stimulation Over Visual Cortex
Junyu Wang1, Allen M Y Cheong2, Dorita H F Chang1
1Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Summary
Excitatory theta burst stimulation (TBS) over the primary visual cortex (V1) transiently reduces sensory eye dominance (SED) in healthy adults. This suggests V1 plays a key role in balancing visual input between the eyes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Cortical Plasticity
Background:
- Sensory eye dominance (SED) indicates interocular imbalance, present in both typical and atypical visual systems.
- SED is thought to involve the primary visual cortex (V1).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of theta burst stimulation (TBS) over V1 on SED and stereopsis.
- To explore the role of V1 in regulating binocular balance.
Main Methods:
- 120 healthy adults were tested.
- Experiment 1: Participants received excitatory (iTBS) or inhibitory (cTBS) TBS over V1 or vertex (Cz). SED and stereoacuity were measured pre- and post-stimulation.
- Experiment 2: Temporal changes in SED were tracked for 90 minutes after iTBS over V1.
Main Results:
- Excitatory TBS (iTBS) over V1 significantly reduced SED, while inhibitory TBS (cTBS) or stimulation over the vertex (Cz) did not.
- Stereoacuity remained unaffected by any stimulation.
- SED reduction peaked at 15 minutes post-stimulation and returned to baseline within 45 minutes.
Conclusions:
- V1 plays a critical role in maintaining binocular balance.
- iTBS-induced changes in cortical excitability may transiently rebalance interocular competitive interactions.
Keywords:
Binocular balanceprimary visual cortexsensory eye dominancestereopsistheta burst stimulation
