About this Research Topic

Background

Pupillometry has gained popularity as a method for indexing cognitive and affective processes, largely due to advancements in automated pupillometry using video-based eye-tracing systems. Moreover, there have been tight correlations observed between pupil size and neural activity in various brain regions, implicating using pupil size as an indirect measure of brain activity. Although pupil size is controlled by the balance activity between the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems, the neural control of pupil size extends beyond the circuitry responsible for pupillary light and darkness reflexes. Key brain structures involved in altering and orienting, such as the locus coeruleus and superior colliculus, play a central role in controlling pupil size. Additionally, other neuromodulatory systems, including cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems, are linked to the pathways controlling pupil size. These findings together suggest that pupil size holds a wealth of information related to perceptual, cognitive, and affective processes.

Research has demonstrated that pupil size is modulated by various emotional and cognitive processes, expanding beyond its well-established relationship with ambient luminance. Indeed, pupil size can change independently of changes in luminance, and this fluctuation is largely attributed to variations in the autonomic arousal level, which significantly impacts cognitive and sensory processing. While there is a growing body of research utilizing pupil size as an indicator of arousal level, the exploration of the direct relationship between pupil size and peripheral responses remains somewhat limited. The autonomic nervous system encompasses multiple indices, including heart rate, blood pressure, galvanic skin responses, breathing patterns, and others. Although all these responses are regulated by the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems, their sensitivity and latency in response to various sensory, affective and cognitive signals may differ. Furthermore, neuroimaging methods, including EEG/ERPs, MEG, fMRI, and neuronal recordings in animals, have been employed in conjunction with pupillometry to investigate the modulation of pupil size by high-level cognition. While the relationship between pupil size and neural activity in some brain regions has been observed, there remains a limitation in the systematic investigation of this relationship. Consequently, examining the relationship between pupil size and neural as well as autonomic responses in the context of sensory, affective, and cognitive processing becomes crucial in utilizing pupil size as a comprehensive measure of arousal level. This line of inquiry holds significant promise for advancing our understanding of the intricate interplay between pupil size, autonomic functioning, and the underlying neural mechanisms associated with various cognitive and affective processes.

This Research Topic is designed to present new knowledge and empirical evidence related to the integration of pupillometry, neural and autonomic response measurements in the study of sensation, perception, cognition, emotions, and other brain functions, both in healthy individuals and clinical populations. We cordially invite authors to submit their original research papers, reviews, and insightful case reports to contribute to this Special Issue.

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
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• Review
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• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: pupil size, autonomic functioning, perception

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