Modeling Autonomic Pupillary Responses from External Stimuli Using Machine Learning

Shawhin Talebi

doi:10.26717/bjstr.2019.20.003446

Abstract

This study is part of a broader investigation into the role of the environment in influencing human physical and cognitive performance. The main purpose of this paper is to provide a baseline...

Highlights

This study is part of a broader investigation into the role of the environment in influencing human physical and cognitive performance
We present a different approach to a similar task by using machine learning to examine the multivariate non-linear autonomic response of pupil dilation as a function of a comprehensive suite of more than four hundred environmental parameters leading to the provision of quantitative empirical models
The main purpose of this paper is to provide a baseline which accurately describes how changing illuminace affects pupil dilation, so that when emotional or cognitive factors are involved, we can start to discern the relative roles of illumnance and cognitive load in affecting the pupil dilation [1,2,3]

Summary

Introduction

This study is part of a broader investigation into the role of the environment in influencing human physical and cognitive performance. When the visual input is sent from the eye to the visual cortex via the optic nerve, it first goes through the thalamus If at this point an imminent threat is detected, it responds mobilizing the body for a ‘fight or flight’ response, which is reflected in the changes in the pupil size. In a fast paced changing environment, executive function in the prefrontal lobes make decisions in a fraction of a second This process effects changes in pupil dilation. This study begins to answer this question using non-invasive methods that can be used in a natural setting by providing a methodology to accurately model the change in pupil size as a function of key environmental variables, so that when other changes are occurring simultaneously (such as emotional and cognitive load) we can start to examine how these factors modify the pupil dilation response that occurs

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Conclusion