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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Mapping Cortical Dynamics Using Simultaneous MEG/EEG and Anatomically-constrained Minimum-norm Estimates: an Auditory Attention Example
Published on: October 24, 2012
Intracranial mapping identifies high-frequency cortical dynamics underlying visual discomfort.
Lenka Pánková Jurkovičová1, Robert Roman1, Jan Cimbálník2
1Brno Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; Member of European Reference Network (ERN)-EpiCARE; CEITEC - Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
High-contrast patterns cause visual discomfort by increasing high-frequency brain activity in extrastriate visual cortex (BA 18/V2). This heightened neural response correlates with individual sensitivity, suggesting a network dynamics basis for visual discomfort.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- High-contrast patterns induce visual discomfort and perceptual distortions.
- This sensitivity is linked to cortical hyperexcitability and altered neural responses.
- Previous research focused on gamma-band oscillations, with limited investigation into higher frequencies and network interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the neural correlates of visual discomfort.
- Examine high-frequency local field potential activity in response to aversive visual stimuli.
- Explore large-scale network interactions in visual discomfort.
Main Methods:
- Used intracranial EEG recordings from epilepsy patients.
- Analyzed local field potential activity (55-1000 Hz) in visual and higher-order brain regions.
- Correlated frequency-specific power changes with self-reported visual discomfort.
Main Results:
- Aversive patterns increased high-gamma power in extrastriate cortex (BA 18/19), not primary visual cortex (BA 17).
- Higher visual discomfort correlated with stronger, sustained high-frequency activity in BA 18.
- Aversive stimuli also engaged temporal regions, with ripple-band activity mirroring high-gamma patterns.
Conclusions:
- Visual discomfort reflects individual differences in extrastriate cortical excitability.
- Frequency-specific network dynamics underlie susceptibility to aversive visual stimuli.
- High-frequency activity in BA 18/V2 is a potential neural correlate of visual discomfort.
