interocular normalization

Binocular combination of light

The brain combines signals across the eyes. This process is well-characterized for the perceptual anatomical pathway through V1 that primarily codes contrast, where interocular normalization ensures that responses are approximately equal for monocular and binocular stimulation. But we have much less understanding of how luminance is combined binocularly, both in the cortex and in subcortical structures that govern pupil diameter. Here I will describe the results of experiments using a novel combined EEG and pupillometry paradigm to simultaneously index binocular combination of luminance flicker in parallel pathways. The results show evidence of a more linear process than for spatial contrast, that may reflect different operational constraints in distinct anatomical pathways.