Spatial-frequency-tuned attenuation and enhancement of the steady-state VEP by grating adaptation

Steady-state visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded from adults using 10% C fast spatial frequency (SF) sweeps of horizontal gratings under two conditions: (a) after exposure to a 40% C grating of 6 or 4 c/deg, and (b) after exposure to a blank screen equalling the adapting gratings in space-averaged luminance. SF adaptation attenuated VEP amplitude near the adapting SF, but maximum attenuation was displaced from the adapting SF for 6 c/deg adaptation. Small displacements in maximum attenuation would be expected if underlying neural subunits are tuned to a small number of different center SFs. In addition, SF adaptation caused amplitude enhancement 1.0-2.0 octaves below the adapting SF, providing electrophysiological evidence in humans for coinhibitory relationships among neural mechanisms that have been postulated on the basis of analogous psychophysical findings. The results are consistent with coinhibition between SF-tuned subunits and between transient and sustained mechanisms.