Dynamic, object-based remapping of visual features in trans-saccadic perception

Saccadic eye movements can dramatically change the location in which an object is projected onto the retina. One mechanism that might potentially underlie the perception of stable objects, despite the occurrence of saccades, is the "remapping" of receptive fields around the time of saccadic eye movements. Here we examined two possible models of trans-saccadic remapping of visual features: (1) spatiotopic coordinates that remain constant across saccades or (2) an object-based remapping in retinal coordinates. We used form adaptation to test "object" and "space" based predictions for an adapter that changed spatial and/or retinal location due to eye movements, object motion or manual displacement using a computer mouse. The predictability and speed of the object motion was also manipulated. The main finding was that maximum transfer of the form aftereffect in retinal coordinates occurred when there was a saccade and when the object motion was attended and predictable. A small transfer was also found when observers moved the object across the screen using a computer mouse. The overall pattern of results is consistent with the theory of object-based remapping for salient stimuli. Thus, the active updating of the location and features of attended objects may play a role in perceptual stability.