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Dynamic random noise shrinks the twinkling aftereffect induced by artificial scotomas
L N Reich1, D M Levi, L J Frishman
1College of Optometry, University of Houston, 4901 Calhoun, Houston, TX 77204-6052, USA. lreich@hpd.nova.edu
Vision Research
|February 23, 2000
Summary
Artificial scotoma adaptation causes physiological changes in cortical neurons, leading to a smaller perceived twinkling aftereffect. This shrinkage suggests a cortical origin, possibly due to interactions between aftereffect and filling-in mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Cortical Plasticity
Background:
- Adaptation to artificial scotoma induces physiological changes in cortical neurons.
- A twinkling aftereffect is observed when dynamic noise is replaced by a gray background.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perceived size of the twinkling aftereffect after binocular and dichoptic adaptation.
- To determine the cortical origins of the twinkling aftereffect and its shrinkage.
Main Methods:
- Induced artificial scotoma adaptation using dynamic random noise.
- Presented equiluminant gray background to elicit twinkling aftereffect.
- Measured perceived size of aftereffect following binocular and dichoptic adaptation.
Main Results:
- Perceived size of twinkling aftereffect was significantly smaller than the inducing artificial scotoma.
- Dichoptic adaptation resulted in shrinkage similar to binocular adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Twinkling aftereffect and its shrinkage have cortical origins.
- Perceptual shrinkage may result from interactions between aftereffect and filling-in cortical mechanisms.
