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Consistent chronostasis effects across saccade categories imply a subcortical efferent trigger
Kielan Yarrow1, Helen Johnson, Patrick Haggard
1University College London, UK. k.yarrow@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|June 18, 2004
Summary
Saccadic chronostasis, the perception of time slowing after eye movements, occurs similarly across voluntary and reflexive saccades. This suggests a common low-level neural signal triggers the "stopped clock" illusion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Perception Psychology
Background:
- Saccadic chronostasis is a perceptual illusion where time appears to slow down after an eye movement, commonly known as the "stopped clock" illusion.
- Other temporal illusions linked to movement, like intentional binding, are influenced by the volitional aspect of the motor act.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether saccadic chronostasis magnitude varies across different types of saccades, from volitional to reflexive.
- To determine the underlying neural mechanisms responsible for chronostasis by examining its consistency across diverse saccade conditions.
Main Methods:
- Comparing saccadic chronostasis in self-timed saccades and antisaccades (volitional) versus peripherally cued saccades and express saccades (reflexive).
- Analyzing the subjective experience of temporal distortion across these varied saccade types.
Main Results:
- Saccadic chronostasis was found to be similar in magnitude across all tested saccade types, irrespective of their volitional or reflexive nature.
- The illusion's consistency suggests it is not dependent on the complex cognitive control associated with volitional movements.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate that saccadic chronostasis is triggered by a fundamental neural signal common to all saccade types.
- This low-level signal likely originates from efferent signals in the superior colliculus, providing a unified explanation for the "stopped clock" illusion.