Searching for Complexity in the Human Pupillary Light Reflex

This article aims to examine the dynamical characteristics of the pupillary light reflex and to provide a contribution towards their explanation based on the nonlinear theory of dynamical systems. To introduce the necessary concepts, terminology, and relevant features of the pupillary light reflex a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rosário D. Laureano, Diana Mendes, Clara Grácio, Fátima Laureano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Mathematics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/8/3/394
Description
Summary:This article aims to examine the dynamical characteristics of the pupillary light reflex and to provide a contribution towards their explanation based on the nonlinear theory of dynamical systems. To introduce the necessary concepts, terminology, and relevant features of the pupillary light reflex and its associated delay, we start with an overview of the human eye anatomy and physiology with emphasis on the iris, pupil, and retina. We also present the most highly regarded models for pupil dynamics found in the current scientific literature. Then we consider the model developed by Longtin and Milton, which models the human pupillary light reflex, defined by a nonlinear differential equation with delay, and present our study carried out on the qualitative and quantitative dynamic behavior of that neurophysiological control system.
ISSN:2227-7390