Human primary visual cortex (V1) responds more strongly, or resonates, when exposed to ∼10, ∼15-20, and ∼40-50Hz rhythmic flickering light. Full-field flicker also evokes the perception of hallucinatory geometric patterns, which mathematical models explain as standing-wave formations emerging from periodic forcing at resonant frequencies of the simulated neural network. However, empirical evidence for such flicker-induced standing waves in the visual cortex was missing. We recorded cortical responses to flicker in awake mice using high-spatial-resolution widefield imaging in combination with high-temporal-resolution glutamate-sensing fluorescent reporter (iGluSnFR). The temporal frequency tuningcurves in the mouse V1 were similar to those observed in humans, showing a banded structure with multiple resonance peaks (8, 15, and 33Hz). Spatially, all flicker frequencies evoked responses inV1 corresponding to retinotopic stimulus location, but some evoked additional peaks. These flicker-induced cortical patterns displayed standing-wave characteristics and matched linear wave equationsolutions in an area restricted to the visual cortex. Taken together, the interaction of periodic traveling waves with cortical area boundaries leads to spatiotemporal activity patterns that may affect perception.
Read full abstract