Cone and melanopsin contributions to human brightness estimation
Open accessAbstract
We determined the contributions of cone and melanopsin luminance signaling to human brightness perception. The absolute brightness of four narrowband primary lights presented in a full-field Ganzfeld was estimated in two conditions, either cone luminance-equated (186.7−1,867.0 cd·m−2) or melanopsin luminance-equated (31.6−316.3 melanopsin cd·m−2). We show that brightness estimations for each primary light follow an approximately linear increase with increasing cone or melanopsin luminance (in log units), but are not equivalent for primary lights equated with either cone or melanopsin luminance. Instead, brightness estimations result from a combined interaction between cone and melanopsin signaling. Analytical modeling with wavelength-dependent coefficients signifies that melanopsin luminance positively correlates with brightness magnitudes, and the cone luminance has two contribution components, one that is additive to melanopsin luminance and a second that is negative, implying an adaptation process. These results provide a new framework for evaluating the physiological basis of brightness perception and have direct practical applications for the development of energy-efficient light sources.
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There is now converging evidence that melanopsin signals reach the primary visual cortex (V1), where they may contribute to and modulate visual perception.
“There is now converging evidence that melanopsin signals reach the primary visual cortex (V1) [82], where they may contribute to and modulate our visual perception [20, 25, 109].”
From Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood (2019) · cites this paper as [109]
Citation [82] is attached to the claim that melanopsin signals reach V1; the later claim about modulating perception has separate citations. The Discussion describes projections to the LGN and says it remains undetermined whether melanopsin provides input to cortical luxotonic neurons, but does not establish that its signals reach V1. Searched for primary visual cortex, V1, and cortical melanopsin input. (LLM, conf=0.74)
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Zele, A. J., Adhikari, P., Feigl, B., & Cao, D.
- Affiliations
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- University of Illinois Chicago (US)
- Corresponding author
- Zele, Andrew J.
- Adhikari, Prakash
- Feigl, Beatrix
- Cao, Dingcai
- Venue
- Journal of the Optical Society of America A
- Publisher
- Optica Publishing Group
- Published
- 2018-01-30
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- B19
- ISSN
- 1084-7529 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-8532
- OpenAlex
- W2786043078
- Cited by
- 97
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 9 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 6.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of the Optical Society of America A (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Australian Research Council (ARC) (ARC-DP170100274)
- National Eye Institute (NEI) (P30-EY01792)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Color Science and Applications
- Keywords
- brightness perception, melanopsin, cone photoreceptors, luminance adaptation, ganzfeld, energy-efficient lighting
- MeSH terms
- Melanopsin, Adult, Female, Humans, Light, Male, Photic Stimulation, Vision, Ocular, Visual Perception, Rod Opsins, Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells
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