Cortical magnification within human primary visual cortex correlates with acuity thresholds.

We measured linear cortical magnification factors in V1 with fMRI, and we measured visual acuity (Vernier and grating) in the same observers. The cortical representation of both Vernier and grating acuity thresholds in V1 was found to be roughly constant across all eccentricities. We also found a within-observer correlation between cortical magnification and Vernier acuity, further supporting claims that Vernier acuity is limited by cortical magnification in V1.

Noninvasive measurement of the cerebral blood flow response in human lateral geniculate nucleus with arterial spin labeling fMRI.

To date, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) have primarily focused on measures of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is an MRI method that can provide direct measures of functional cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes. Because CBF is a well-defined physiological quantity that contributes to BOLD contrast, CBF measures can be used to improve the quantitative interpretation of fMRI studies. However, due in part to the low intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio of the ASL method, measures of functional CBF changes in the LGN are challenging and have not previously been reported. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of using ASL fMRI to measure the CBF response of the LGN to visual stimulation on a 3 T MRI system. The use of background suppression and physiological noise reduction techniques allowed reliable detection of LGN activation in all five subjects studied. The measured percent CBF response during activation ranged from 40 to 100%, assuming no interaction between the left and right LGN.

Retinotopic organization of primary visual cortex in glaucoma: Comparing fMRI measurements of cortical function with visual field loss.

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell loss. Experimental primate glaucoma indicates neuronal degeneration of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and activity changes in the visual cortex (V1). Neuronal degeneration has also been shown in a post-mortem human study of the optic nerve, LGN and visual cortex. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive means of inferring function-specific neuronal activity, provides an opportunity to evaluate glaucomatous changes in neuronal activity throughout the visual pathway in vivo. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the relationship between visual field loss in human POAG and the functional organization of V1 can be measured using novel fMRI analysis methods. Visual field defects were measured using standard automated perimetry (SAP). A retinotopic map of visual space was obtained for V1, and the retinotopy data was fit with a template. The template was used to project regions within the visual field onto a flattened representation of V1. Viewing through the glaucomatous vs. fellow eye was compared by alternately presenting each eye with a scotoma-mapping stimulus. The resulting blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI response was compared to interocular differences in thresholds for corresponding regions of the visual field. The spatial pattern of activity observed in the flattened representation agreed with the pattern of visual field loss. Furthermore, the amplitude of the BOLD response was correlated on a pointwise basis with the difference in sensitivity thresholds between the glaucomatous and fellow eyes (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001). The BOLD signal in human V1 is altered for POAG patients in a manner consistent with the loss of visual function. FMRI of visual brain areas is a potential means for quantifying glaucomatous changes in neuronal activity. This should enhance our understanding of glaucoma, and could lead to new diagnostic techniques and therapies.

Tactile hyperacuity thresholds correlate with finger maps in primary somatosensory cortex (S1).

Behavioral tactile discrimination thresholds were compared with functional magnetic resonance imaging measurements of cortical finger representations within primary somatosensory cortex (S1) for 10 human subjects to determine whether cortical magnification in S1 could account for the variation in tactile hyperacuity thresholds of the fingers. Across 10 subjects, the increase in tactile thresholds from the index finger to the little finger correlated with the decrease in cortical representation across fingers in S1. Additionally, representations of the fingers within S1, in Brodmann areas 3b and 1, were also correlated with the thresholds. These results suggest that tactile hyperacuity is largely determined by the cortical representation of the fingers in S1.

Retinotopic organization of primary visual cortex in glaucoma: a method for comparing cortical function with damage to the optic disk.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate that the relationship between the functional organization of primary visual cortex (V1) and damage to the optic disc in humans with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) can be measured using a novel method for projecting scotomas onto the flattened cortical representation. METHODS: Six subjects participated in this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment. Structural damage to the optic disc and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) was measured by three techniques: scanning laser polarimetry (GDx ECC; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA), confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (HRT II; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and optical coherence tomography (StratusOCT; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc.). Cortical activity for viewing through the glaucomatous versus fellow eye was compared by alternately presenting each eye with a contrast-reversing checkerboard pattern. The resultant fMRI response was compared to interocular differences in RNFL or mean height contour for analogous regions of the visual field. RESULTS: fMRI responses to visual stimulation were related to differences in RNFL thickness or mean height contour between eyes. The correlation between fMRI responses and measurements of optic disc damage for OCT (RNFL), HRT (mean height contour), and GDx (RNFL) were r = 0.90 (P = 0.02), r = 0.84 (P = 0.04), and r = 0.79 (P = 0.063), respectively. The probability of observing all three correlations by chance was low (P = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Cortical activity in human V1 was altered in these six POAG subjects in a manner consistent with damage to the optic disc. fMRI is a possible means for quantifying cortical neurodegeneration in POAG.

Arterial spin labeling fMRI measurements of decreased blood flow in primary visual cortex correlates with decreased visual function in human glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Altered metabolic activity has been identified as a potential contributing factor to the neurodegeneration associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Consequently, we sought to determine whether there is a relationship between the loss of visual function in human glaucoma and resting blood perfusion within primary visual cortex (V1). METHODS: Arterial spin labeling (ASL) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted in 10 participants with POAG. Resting cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured from dorsal and ventral V1. Behavioral measurements of visual function were obtained using standard automated perimetry (SAP), short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP), and frequency-doubling technology perimetry (FDT). Measurements of CBF were compared to differences in visual function for the superior and inferior hemifield. RESULTS: Differences in CBF between ventral and dorsal V1 were correlated with differences in visual function for the superior versus inferior visual field. A statistical bootstrapping analysis indicated that the observed correlations between fMRI responses and measurements of visual function for SAP (r=0.49), SWAP (r=0.63), and FDT (r=0.43) were statistically significant (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Resting blood perfusion in human V1 is correlated with the loss of visual function in POAG. Altered CBF may be a contributing factor to glaucomatous optic neuropathy, or it may be an indication of post-retinal glaucomatous neurodegeneration caused by damage to the retinal ganglion cells.