Hi, my name is Anirudh. When my brother and I fight, my mum often says that we are like her two eyes.
After researching the subject a binocular rivalry, though, I realized that this was a figure of speech and certainly not the case.
The phenomenon of binocular rivalry
occurs when two distinctly different images are presented to each
eye simultaneously. The observer, though, is only aware of one image at a time.
There is a random switching between the images from each eye, creating a rivalry between both eyes.
Sorry, mum, your figure of speech isn't quite right!
To create binocular rivalry each eye has been presented with a different image.
This can be achieved in several ways such as anaglyph glasses, mirror stereoscopes, or prism glasses.
For simplicity I'll be using anaglyph glasses, also known as 3-D glasses.
In order to understand binocular rivalry, first let me explain how the brain processes
images.
Through our eyes normally see slightly different images and the brain fuses these images into one.
However, when presented with two distinctly different
Images, the brain does not merge these images, instead
suppressing one and making the other dominant.
This process continues indefinitely.
Visual attention flickers between two images causing binocular rivalry. When the brain processes two distinctly different images,
signals run from the optic nerve and to the brain,
processing each individual image separately. The group of neurons processing the dominant image inhibits the group processing the suppressed image.
After a while, the system fatigues and then the suppressed image becomes dominant.
The processing of the images switches from time to time and continues indefinitely.
Now, I hope that you have some understanding of binocular rivalry. I know what you're thinking.
What is the use of this?
Though there is no direct
application of this phenomenon,
binocular rivalry
facilitates understanding of some of the complex mechanisms of brain.
Let me go through a few recent studies.
There is no better way to explain the usefulness of this phenomenon. We often find it hard to adjust the changes
that we are faced with throughout our lives,
but did you know our brain is adapting to change quicker than we think?
Our brain is constantly changing, every minute, every second of our lives --
adapting to the environment. This amazing ability, called neuroplasticity, is what makes it unrivaled in comparison to machines and computers.
Let me explain how Pisa Vision Lab utilized the phenomenon of binocular rivalry
to test that the brain can easily adapt to change and make new connections within short timespans.
They measured bilateral rivalry in normal settings and again after patching one
eye for two and a half hours. The results showed that the patched eye was more dominant than the other.
The concentration of a neurotransmitter, Gamma Amino Butyric Acid
GABA for short, may trigger neuroplasticity.
The research concluded: the change in resting GABA strongly correlates with deprived eye perceptual boost; a
decrease in resting GABA triggers homeostatic plasticity in adult primary visual cortex.
This is a classic example of how researchers use the phenomenon of binocular rivalry
to test some of the amazing abilities of the brain such as neuroplasticity.
You may be wondering why I am meditating.
What has this got to do with binocular rivalry?
Well,
Consciousness is the state of being aware and alert your surroundings.
Among neuroscientists there has been contention around the precise identification of the neural correlates of consciousness.
The study of binocular rivalry
attempts to understand this phenomenon. a recent study by Olivia Carter and Jack Pettigrew
explores whether focused meditation can lead to a higher level of control and stability and mental processes.
The results are an interesting and concluded as perfect meditation could slow down or even stop binocular rivalry
This creates a stabilization of mental processes and
Is a step forward in our understanding of the neural correlates of consciousness
The phenomenon of binocular rivalry can be used as a basis to understand neural processing in many different fields.
Researchers use the concept of binocular rivalry to understand some of the complex mechanisms of the brain.
So not all rivalries are bad. Sometimes we can learn from them! So ...does that mean we can fight now?