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Related Experiment Videos

Voluntary alteration of visual evoked potentials

J Bumgartner, C M Epstein

    Annals of Neurology
    |November 1, 1982
    PubMed
    Summary

    Individuals can voluntarily alter pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs) through mental focus or relaxation techniques. This demonstrates a level of conscious control over visual processing, impacting brainwave activity.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Cognitive Psychology
    • Visual Perception

    Background:

    • Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are electrophysiological responses to visual stimuli.
    • Pattern-shift VEPs (PSVEPs) specifically measure the brain's response to changing visual patterns.
    • The extent of conscious control over VEPs is not fully understood.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate whether individuals can voluntarily modulate their pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs).
    • To explore the effectiveness of different mental maneuvers in altering PSVEPs.
    • To determine the degree of conscious influence on visual processing pathways.

    Main Methods:

    • Fifteen healthy adults underwent monocular pattern-shift visual evoked potential (PSVEP) testing.
    • Participants were instructed to either concentrate on or ignore a checkerboard pattern.
    • Maneuvers such as meditation, daydreaming, and convergence were employed spontaneously and with instruction.

    Main Results:

    • A third of subjects spontaneously altered or abolished their PSVEPs using various mental techniques.
    • Some participants could shift the apparent latency of their PSVEPs.
    • Most subjects learned to alter PSVEPs with explicit instructions, even when the method was not obvious.

    Conclusions:

    • Conscious control can significantly influence pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs).
    • Mental strategies, including attention and relaxation, can modulate neural responses in the visual pathway.
    • These findings suggest a greater top-down influence on visual processing than previously assumed.

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