Rapid motion aftereffect seen within uniform flickering test fields. 1983

M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer

Prolonged viewing of a moving pattern selectively elevates the threshold for a pattern moving in the same direction and induces the classical motion aftereffect (MAE). The aftereffect is seen as a slow drift in the opposite direction, which is visible even with the eyes shut or while viewing a uniform field. However, as we report here, a strikingly different aftereffect is seen when the test field is uniform and sinusoidally flickered: the field is filled with rapid motion in the direction opposite the adapting motion. This flicker MAE has distinct properties: the adapting grating must be of low spatial frequency; the effect is promoted by high contrast and high temporal frequencies of both adapting and test stimuli; and the aftereffect does not transfer interocularly. In all these respects the flicker MAE differs from the traditional MAE. Motion detectors have been identified in human vision by the threshold detectability and discriminability of moving patterns and by selective adaptation. The flicker MAE selectively taps a class of transient motion mechanisms that are selective for rapid motion and low spatial frequency. Uniform flicker is an effective stimulus for these mechanisms. It thus appears that the human visual system contains at least two distinct classes of mechanisms for sensing motion.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009068 Movement The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior. Movements
D010775 Photic Stimulation Investigative technique commonly used during ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY in which a series of bright light flashes or visual patterns are used to elicit brain activity. Stimulation, Photic,Visual Stimulation,Photic Stimulations,Stimulation, Visual,Stimulations, Photic,Stimulations, Visual,Visual Stimulations
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014785 Vision, Ocular The process in which light signals are transformed by the PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS into electrical signals which can then be transmitted to the brain. Vision,Light Signal Transduction, Visual,Ocular Vision,Visual Light Signal Transduction,Visual Phototransduction,Visual Transduction,Phototransduction, Visual,Transduction, Visual
D014794 Visual Fields The total area or space visible in a person's peripheral vision with the eye looking straightforward. Field, Visual,Fields, Visual,Visual Field
D014796 Visual Perception The selecting and organizing of visual stimuli based on the individual's past experience. Visual Processing,Perception, Visual,Processing, Visual

Related Publications

M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
October 1994, Vision research,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
February 1995, Vision research,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
July 1995, Vision research,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
September 1973, Vision research,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
February 1963, Science (New York, N.Y.),
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
March 1998, Trends in cognitive sciences,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
September 1976, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
January 1981, Vision research,
M Green, and M Chilcoat, and C F Stromeyer
November 1963, Journal of experimental psychology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!