Saccades along the fast track M W Greenlee, S P Blurton, M Raabe |
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Institute for Experimental Psychology, University of Regensburg, Germany
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| We explored the idea that high-speed self-motion can set the brain in a fast-track mode to enable short latency, visually guided (oculo) motor behavior. Visually guided reflexive saccades in a gap paradigm were executed during visual stimulation containing random-dot kinematogram (RDK) translational motion. Participants viewed a wide (60x40 deg.) display that contained 1500 moving white dots on dark background. In the experimental condition RDKs simulated a rollercoaster ride with the first 4 s of slow forward self motion and a 8-s period of rapid falling motion. Participants were instructed to execute pro-saccades to a left/right 15 deg. displacement of a central red fixation target. Participants also reported trial-wise whether they sensed illusory self motion (vection). Control conditions containing static dots, random dot motion, linear motion and a reversed upward rollercoaster condition were conducted to examine the specificity of possible effects on saccadic latency. Results indicate that in the experimental condition participants reliably experienced vection. During these falling sensations, participants executed saccades to the visual target with significantly lower latencies compared to other conditions. Our results suggest that self motion leads to quicker responses, suggesting the existence of the brain’s fast track for sensory guided decision-making in dynamic contexts. |
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