RESUMO
We examined whether functional and structural variability in the primary visual area (V1) correlated with autism traits. Twenty-nine participants (16 males; MAge = 26.4 years, SDAge = 4.0 years) completed the autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) questionnaire prior to a magnetic resonance imaging session. The total AQ scores was used to assess the degree of self-reported autism traits. The average functional activation in V1 to visual stimulation and its average grey-matter thickness were calculated. There were no correlations between functional activation in V1 and autism traits. Conversely, grey-matter thickness of the left but not the right V1 correlated with autism traits. We conclude that structural changes in the left V1 could be a marker for the presence of autism traits.
Assuntos
Transtorno Autístico/diagnóstico por imagem , Lateralidade Funcional , Substância Cinzenta/diagnóstico por imagem , Estimulação Luminosa/métodos , Córtex Visual/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Transtorno Autístico/psicologia , Feminino , Lateralidade Funcional/fisiologia , Substância Cinzenta/fisiologia , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética/métodos , Masculino , Tamanho do Órgão/fisiologia , Autorrelato , Inquéritos e Questionários , Córtex Visual/fisiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Size constancy is the ability to perceive objects as remaining constant in size regardless of their distance from the observer. Emmert's law demonstrates that viewing distance determines the perceived size of afterimages according to the amount of depth cues that are available. Using an afterimage paradigm, we examined to what extent removing stereopsis and other depth cues affects size-distance scaling. Thirty participants 'projected' afterimages onto a surface presented at different distances under binocular, monocular, and eyes-closed conditions. The perceived size of the afterimages closely followed the size-distance scaling predictions made by Emmert's law under binocular testing conditions, when all depth cues were available. In contrast, monocular testing decreased adherence to Emmert's law, while the eyes-closed condition resulted in a greater breakdown of size-distance scaling. Because we used an afterimage paradigm, this study provides the first demonstration of how perceived size is modulated by the availability of depth cues under conditions with a constant retinal image stimulus.