Changes in perceptual sensitivity following saccade adaptation M Batson, J N van der Geest, M Frens |
|---|
Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Netherlands
|
| Saccade adaptation is a process which occurs when the endpoint of a saccade is systematically shifted during the saccade, leading to shortening or lengthening of saccade amplitude (Frens & van Opstal, 1994, Experimental Brain Research, 100(2), 293–306). Effects of saccade adaptation on visual perception have been noted with regard to changes in spatially-related factors such as object mislocalisation and sensory-motor system realignment (Awater, 2004, Journal of Neurophysiology, 93, 3605-3614) (Hernandez et al, 2008, Journal of Vision, 8(8):3, 1–16), or to distortion of spatial aspects within the percept, such as misperceiving the dimensions of cross figures (Garaas & Pomplun, 2011, Journal of Vision, 11(1):2, 1-11). However, effects on local image processing parameters, such as luminance or spatial frequency, have not been addressed. In this study we compare the effects of saccade adaptation on contrast-sensitivity of peripheral Gabor discrimination at multiple spatial locations. Pilot data suggest that saccade adaptation causes a steepening of the psychometric function, leading to a greater increase in Gabor discriminability at lower contrasts near the adapted endpoint, while discriminability is suppressed over all contrast levels at the original endpoint location. N = 4. These results suggest that adaptation of sensory motor space can affect contrast sensitivity. |
| Up Home |
|---|