TY - JOUR
T1 - Neural basis of photo/chromatic sensitivity in adolescence
AU - Yamasaki, Takao
AU - Goto, Yoshinobu
AU - Kinukawa, Naoko
AU - Tobimatsu, Shozo
PY - 2008/9
Y1 - 2008/9
N2 - Purpose: To determine a psychophysiological basis for age visual sensitivity to chromatic and achromatic stimuli. Methods: We investigated the effects of achromatic and four isoluminant color combinations (blue/red, blue/green, green/red, and blue/yellow), luminance ratio changes in color combinations (blue/red; 1:1, 3:4, 4:3) and contrast changes (3 to 100%) on steady-state electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in 32 healthy teenagers and 30 young adults. Results: We found that (1) dual peaks at 9 and 18 Hz with a dip at 12 Hz were observed in VEPs with all isoluminant color combinations, (2) VEP responses were significantly enhanced and the 12-Hz dip became unclear with luminance ratio changes between two colors with a nonantagonistic relationship (blue/red), and (3) VEP amplitudes were significantly increased when the contrast was increased. These characteristics were more evident in teenagers than young adults; however, ERGs were qualitatively similar between the two groups. Discussion: The visual cortex is differently modulated by different color-luminance combinations, and higher sensitivity to color-luminance combinations in the visual cortex in teenagers is responsible for the high prevalence of photo/chromatic sensitivity in adolescence.
AB - Purpose: To determine a psychophysiological basis for age visual sensitivity to chromatic and achromatic stimuli. Methods: We investigated the effects of achromatic and four isoluminant color combinations (blue/red, blue/green, green/red, and blue/yellow), luminance ratio changes in color combinations (blue/red; 1:1, 3:4, 4:3) and contrast changes (3 to 100%) on steady-state electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in 32 healthy teenagers and 30 young adults. Results: We found that (1) dual peaks at 9 and 18 Hz with a dip at 12 Hz were observed in VEPs with all isoluminant color combinations, (2) VEP responses were significantly enhanced and the 12-Hz dip became unclear with luminance ratio changes between two colors with a nonantagonistic relationship (blue/red), and (3) VEP amplitudes were significantly increased when the contrast was increased. These characteristics were more evident in teenagers than young adults; however, ERGs were qualitatively similar between the two groups. Discussion: The visual cortex is differently modulated by different color-luminance combinations, and higher sensitivity to color-luminance combinations in the visual cortex in teenagers is responsible for the high prevalence of photo/chromatic sensitivity in adolescence.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01605.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01605.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 18410364
AN - SCOPUS:51249109244
VL - 49
SP - 1611
EP - 1618
JO - Epilepsia
JF - Epilepsia
SN - 0013-9580
IS - 9
ER -