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Temporal light modulation activation in visual cortex : a 7T fMRI study on healthy subjects

Lindén, Johannes LU orcid ; Hemphälä, Hillevi LU orcid ; Markenroth Bloch, Karin LU orcid ; Edvinsson, Lars LU ; Surova, Yulia LU ; Mauritsson, Johan LU orcid ; Pålsson, Erik LU ; Magnusson, Viktor LU ; van Westen, Danielle LU orcid and Björkstrand, Johannes LU (2025) In LEUKOS - Journal of Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
Abstract
This study investigates the effects of high-frequency temporal light modulation (TLM) on neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy individuals (age 18–50 years). We examined stimulation frequencies both below (50 Hz) and above (≥100 Hz) the perceptible threshold for visual flicker. Our findings revealed that 50 Hz TLM, which is perceived as flickering, leads to substantial activation in visual regions, particularly the lateral occipital cortex. Notably, 100 Hz TLM, which is not perceived as flickering, also elicited similar but weaker activation patterns, indicating that high-frequency TLM can affect neural responses even without conscious perception. Additionally, we observed deactivation in several... (More)
This study investigates the effects of high-frequency temporal light modulation (TLM) on neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy individuals (age 18–50 years). We examined stimulation frequencies both below (50 Hz) and above (≥100 Hz) the perceptible threshold for visual flicker. Our findings revealed that 50 Hz TLM, which is perceived as flickering, leads to substantial activation in visual regions, particularly the lateral occipital cortex. Notably, 100 Hz TLM, which is not perceived as flickering, also elicited similar but weaker activation patterns, indicating that high-frequency TLM can affect neural responses even without conscious perception. Additionally, we observed deactivation in several brain regions during TLM stimulation, suggesting a shift in attentional focus to external stimuli. These results underscore the potential for high-frequency TLM to influence brain activity, with implications for cognitive performance and health. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering both visual and nonvisual effects of TLM on neural activity, particularly for individuals sensitive to visual stress. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Temporal light modulation, flicker, brain activity, fMRI
in
LEUKOS - Journal of Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
pages
17 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISSN
1550-2724
DOI
10.1080/15502724.2025.2583961
project
fMRI-fLICKER – How flicker affects the brain
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
1be452e1-6708-4ad4-91f1-5ea624b3cc81
date added to LUP
2025-11-20 12:00:46
date last changed
2025-12-03 03:21:38
@article{1be452e1-6708-4ad4-91f1-5ea624b3cc81,
  abstract     = {{This study investigates the effects of high-frequency temporal light modulation (TLM) on neural activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy individuals (age 18–50 years). We examined stimulation frequencies both below (50 Hz) and above (≥100 Hz) the perceptible threshold for visual flicker. Our findings revealed that 50 Hz TLM, which is perceived as flickering, leads to substantial activation in visual regions, particularly the lateral occipital cortex. Notably, 100 Hz TLM, which is not perceived as flickering, also elicited similar but weaker activation patterns, indicating that high-frequency TLM can affect neural responses even without conscious perception. Additionally, we observed deactivation in several brain regions during TLM stimulation, suggesting a shift in attentional focus to external stimuli. These results underscore the potential for high-frequency TLM to influence brain activity, with implications for cognitive performance and health. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering both visual and nonvisual effects of TLM on neural activity, particularly for individuals sensitive to visual stress.}},
  author       = {{Lindén, Johannes and Hemphälä, Hillevi and Markenroth Bloch, Karin and Edvinsson, Lars and Surova, Yulia and Mauritsson, Johan and Pålsson, Erik and Magnusson, Viktor and van Westen, Danielle and Björkstrand, Johannes}},
  issn         = {{1550-2724}},
  keywords     = {{Temporal light modulation; flicker; brain activity; fMRI}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{11}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{LEUKOS - Journal of Illuminating Engineering Society of North America}},
  title        = {{Temporal light modulation activation in visual cortex : a 7T fMRI study on healthy subjects}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15502724.2025.2583961}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/15502724.2025.2583961}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}