Modulation of binocular rivalry with rapid monocular visual stimulation

Abstract

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the process of strengthening synaptic efficacy through repeated activation. This fundamental mechanism of neuroplasticity involves a cascade of cellular and molecular changes and underpins the processes of learning and memory formation (Bliss & Collingridge, 1993; Bliss & Lomo, 1973). Early research revealed that the rapid electrical stimulation of presynaptic cells within the rabbit hippocampus induced a lasting increase in the response amplitude of postsynaptic cells (Bliss & Lomo, 1973). Subsequent studies demonstrated similar effects (Bröcher et al., 1992) and characterized the neurochemical changes that occurred as a result of the stimulation (Hayashi et al., 2000; Teyler & DiScenna, 1987). These changes included a rise in postsynaptic calcium, the release of glutamate, and the activation of N-methyld-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (Malenka & Nicoll, 1999). While LTP is typically induced using electrical stimulation in vitro, similar effects (a strengthening of neural responses following stimulation) have been reported in the visual

Effects of Monocular Flicker on Binocular Imbalance in Amblyopic and Nonamblyopic Adults

“…Another plausible explanation is that the external flicker stimuli may act as a patching or blurring effect, subsequently weakening the flickered eye in binocular combination. Unlike previous studies 26 , 38 that generate flicker through software programming, displaying targets (such as numbers, letters, or gratings) at various durations to create target flickered at different temporal frequencies, in our study, monocular flicker is produced with liquid crystal lenses. These lenses generate specific temporal frequency flicker stimuli in front of the eye with a 1:1 light:dark ratio through electronic control.…”

“…However, monocular flicker might affect interocular interaction differently than decreasing stimuli contrast or brightness, not only owing to its temporal rather than spatial nature, but also because flicker itself could play a critical role in binocular viewing. 26 In fact, a recent study by Abuleil et al 38 further supports this possibility, indicating that, in binocular rivalry tasks, the use of a 9-Hz monocular flicker reduces the relative dominance of the flickered eye, favoring the nonstimulated eye. On the basis of this evidence, we hypothesized that monocular flicker may disrupt the continuous visual stimulation of the flickered eye.…”