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The Effect of Microsaccades in the Primary Visual Cortex: Increased Synchronization in the Fovea during a Two-Phase
Yarden Nativ1, Tomer Bouhnik1, Hamutal Slovin2
1The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.
Miniature eye movements called microsaccades (MSs) create visual motion. Researchers found evidence for an extraretinal input (ERI) in the visual cortex, potentially stabilizing vision during these natural eye movements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Visual processing
Background:
- Fixational eye movements, including microsaccades (MSs), are continuous.
- These movements cause visual input motion, particularly affecting the fovea.
- Visual stability despite MSs suggests an extraretinal input (ERI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence of ERI in the foveal region of the primary visual cortex (V1).
- To characterize the influence of MSs on neural activity using high spatiotemporal resolution.
- To determine if ERI contributes to visual stability.
Main Methods:
- Voltage-sensitive dye imaging (VSDI) in macaque monkeys (male).
- Measurement of neural population activity during spontaneous MSs.
- Analysis of MS effects with and without visual stimuli.
Main Results:
- MSs induced a two-phase neural response: early suppression followed by enhancement.
- Widespread foveal neural synchronization increased approximately 100 ms after MS onset.
- MS modulation differed with visual stimuli, but both effects coexisted.
Conclusions:
- Results support the existence of an extraretinal input (ERI) to V1.
- ERI may play a role in visual stabilization at the V1 level.
- This mechanism contributes to maintaining visual stability during microsaccades.
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