Objective investigation of visual function using a nondestructive zoom-FFT technique for evoked potential analysis

We describe an ultra-high resolution technique for recording evoked potentials (EPs) that are thousands of times smaller than the total EEG power. We report that two superimposed visual stimulus patterns, one modulated at F1 Hz and the other at F2 Hz, can generate 20 or more EP frequency components, each of which is contained within a bandwidth of no more than 0.004 Hz. We have developed a theoretical method for calculating the amplitudes and phases of these various cross-modulation components for different arrangements of model neurons. The relative amplitude of the various cross-modulation components seems to be a 'signature' of the particular neural model and this offers a way of testing theoretical neural models against EP data. As an illustration we compare the nonlinear EP components evoked by dichoptic stimulation with unpatterned flickering light against several models of binocular interaction. These nonlinear binocular interaction terms may offer a means of investigating binocularity in amblyopic children or infants who have low acuity in one or both eyes.