Spatial frequency mechanisms in human vision investigated by evoked potential recording

doi:10.1016/0042-6989(83)90151-7

Vision Research

Volume 23, Issue 12, 1983, Pages 1401-1407

https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6989(83)90151-7 Get rights and content

Abstract

Two visually evoked brain responses were elicited simultaneously by stimulating the eye with two superimposed sinewave grating patterns that were temporally modulated at slightly different rates. The VEP to one grating was comparatively little affected by the presence of the other grating when the two spatial frequencies were very different, but mutual attenuation grew stronger and stronger as the spatial frequencies of the two gratings were progressively brought together. The attenuation rose to a sharp maximum when the two spatial frequencies were equal. This held at each of the five spatial frequencies tested. This finding can be explained if the spatially-selective mechanisms responsible for grating VEPs contain multiple subunits of narrower spatial frequency bandwidth. The two-grating technique was also used to search for evidence of multiple subunits that are most sensitive at the same spatial frequency, but are tuned to different temporal frequencies. Findings were quite different for temporal and for spatial tuning. Attenuation of one grating VEP was greatest when the temporal frequency of the other grating fell within a broad frequency range of about 3–30 reversals sec⁻¹: maximum attenuation could occur when the gratings had quite different temporal frequencies. This finding denies that for every given temporal frequency there is a subunit maximally sensitive to that frequency.

Reference (51)

De ValoisR.L. et al.
Spatial frequency selectivity of cells in macaque visual cortex
Vision Res.
(1982)
GrahamN. et al.
Spatial pooling properties deduced from the detectabilily of FM and quasi-FM gratings: A reanalysis
Vision Res.
(1976)
HessR.F. et al.
On the relationship between pattern and movement perception in strabismic amblyopia
Vision Res.
(1978)
MaffeiL. et al.
The visual cortex as a spatial frequency analyser
Vision Res.
(1973)
NakayamaK. et al.
Narrow spatial and temporal frequency tuning in the alert monkey
Brain Res.
(1980)
PollenD.A. et al.
Spatial computation performed by simple and complex cells in the visual cortex of cat
Vision Res.
(1982)
ReganD.
Some characteristics of average steadystate and transient responses evoked by modulated light
Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.
(1966)
ReganD.
Chromatic adaptation and steady-state evoked polentials
Vision Res.
(1968)
ReganD.
A high frequency mechanism which underlies visual evoked potentials
Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.
(1968)
ReganD. et al.
Independence of evoked potentials and apparent size
Vision Res.
(1971)

SwiftD.J. et al.

An action spectrum for spatial-frequency adaptation

Vision Res.

(1982)

WilsonH.R. et al.

A four mechanism model for threshold spatial vision

Vision Res.

(1979)

AlbrechtD.G. et al.

Visual cortical neurons: Are bars or gratings the optimal stimuli?

Science

(1980)

BlakemoreC. et al.

On the existence of neurons in the human visual system selectively sensitive to the orientation and size of retinal images

J. Physiol.

(1969)

BraddickO. et al.

Channels in vision: Basic aspects

BurbeckC.A.

Criterion-free pattern and flicker thresholds

J. opt. Soc. Am.

(1981)

CamisaJ. et al.

Meridional visual evoked potential latency changes in multiple sclerosis

Ann. Neurol.

(1981)

CampbellF.W.

The transmission of spatial information through the visual system

CampbellF.W. et al.

Application of Fourier analysis to the visibility of gratings

J. Physiol.

(1968)

CampbellF.W. et al.

Electrophysiological evidence for the existence of orientation and size detectors in the human visual system

J. Physiol.

(1970)

CobbW.A. et al.

Cerebral potentials evoked by pattern reversal and their suppression m visual rivalry

Nature

(1967)

De ValoisR.L et al.

Spatial vision

Ann. Rev Psychol.

(1980)

Enroth-CugellC.

Cat retinal ganglion cells and grating patierns

J. opt. Soi. Am.

(1980)

FoxR.

Visual masking

GrahamN.

Spatial frequency channels in human vision : Detecting edges without edge detectors

Cited by (41)

Some early uses of evoked brain responses in investigations of human visual function
2009, Vision Research
In the context of the technical possibilities of the time, this paper describes early attempts to employ visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) as a tool for investigating human visual function, focussing on the contributions of Henk Spekreijse and his colleagues. The topics covered are as follows: attempts to distinguish between true pattern-specific VEPs and the effects of responses to changes in local luminance; retinal rivalry and interocular sustained suppression; the implications of VEPs elicited by equiluminant chromatic patterns; VEPs specific to real and apparent motion; stereo VEPs; identification of a visual–auditory convergence area in the human brain.
Evoked potentials: Recording methods
2009, Encyclopedia of Neuroscience
When a human receives a sensory (e.g., a visual, auditory, tactile) stimulus, neurons in the corresponding sensory cortical area generate slow postsynaptic potentials, and the resulting volume currents can reach the scalp, creating potential differences (voltages) between different scalp locations. Methods for recording and analyzing this evoked potential (EP) include subjecting the electroencephalogram to time-domain averaging, creating a Fourier spectrum, the sweep method, white noise analysis, and binary m-sequence analysis. Nonlinearities in sensory systems can be exploited by means of the two-sine-wave approach.
The multifocal visual evoked potential: An objective measure of visual fields?
2005, Vision Research
We examined the effects of inter-modal attention and mental arithmetic on Humphrey visual field sensitivity and multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) amplitude. Four normally sighted subjects (ages ranging from 24 to 58 years) participated in this study. Monocular visual field sensitivity was measured under two conditions: (1) standard testing condition and (2) while the subject performed a Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT). Monocular mfVEPs were recorded in response to a 60-sector stimulus. The checkerboard pattern in each sector was contrast reversed according to a binary m-sequence. mfVEPs were recorded under two conditions: (1) standard testing conditions and (2) while the subject performed a PASAT. We found that, when compared to the no-task condition, all subjects had locations of significantly reduced Humphrey visual field sensitivities when performing the PASAT. In contrast, there were no significant decreases in mfVEP amplitude in any sector for any of the subjects while performing the PASAT. Our findings indicate that divided attention and ongoing mental processes did not affect the mfVEP. Therefore, the mfVEP provides an objective measure of visual field function that may be useful for some patients with unreliable automated static perimetry results.
Chapter 12 Role of clinical neurophysiology in assessing both normal and pathological processing of visual information
2005, Handbook of Clinical Neurophysiology
Electroretinograms (ERGs) can be obtained to flash or pattern stimulation; flash full-field electroretinograms are referred to as “ERGs,” and pattern evoked electroretinograms are known as “PERGs.” ERGs and PERGs are critical for evaluating widespread outer retinal disorders, can be used in predicting the onset of retinopathies in certain conditions such as diabetes, and can be utilized to screen drugs with potential retinal toxicity. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are sensitive in the detection of optic nerve disorders and retain their diagnostic value. They can also be utilized to predict progress of disorders such as glaucoma and to assess neurotoxicity of new drugs. Visual acuity, visual field perimetry and Ishihara color plate testing are widely utilized to assess basic visual functions. They are available universally and can be applied to a large population without the use of expensive equipment. These tests, however, require the cooperation of the individual tested. ERGs in infants and children have both a research and a diagnostic role. ERGs clarify the physiopathology of retinal diseases, and the severity of retinal involvement. In difficult clinical cases, ERGs may help to reach a correct diagnosis.
Orientation characteristics of a mechanism in the human visual system sensitive to cyclopean form
2002, Vision Research
Human observers viewed two superimposed cyclopean gratings in dynamic random noise. Neither grating was visible monocularly. The disparities of the two gratings were counterphase-modulated at different temporal frequencies. We recorded frequency domain brain responses at ultra-high frequency resolution (0.008 Hz) by means of nondestructive zoom-FFT. The response to the superimposed gratings was quite different to the sum of responses to the two individual gratings. We used this strong nonlinearity to investigate the orientation tuning of the cyclopean mechanism that responded to the gratings. One grating had a fixed orientation while the other was rotated. Half-sensitivity full bandwidth was greater than 90°. This is considerably greater than the corresponding bandwidth (30°) for luminance-defined (LD) gratings [Vis. Res. 27 (1987) 2181]. Furthermore, the cyclopean nonlinearity was different from the corresponding nonlinearity for LD gratings. Brain responses to a single cyclopean grating showed an inverse oblique effect over a 1.2–1.9° range of bar widths, but not for smaller or larger bar widths.
Spatial frequency masking with the sweep-VEP
1997, Vision Research
A suprathreshold sinewave grating can change the amplitude of the steady-state visual evoked potential (VEP) in response to a test grating if the two are close in spatial frequency (SF). The change in amplitude provides clues to underlying pattern analyzers. Masking was measured in 12 observers using the steady-state VEP. As a test grating reversed at 7 Hz, a masker of similar temporal frequency (9 Hz) but of variable SF was superimposed on it. Test gratings were 1, 3 and 8 c/deg (20% contrast). Within a 10 sec trial, the mask (20 or 40% contrast) was fixed at one of nine SFs or was swept across 19 SFs (5 octaves). The amplitude of the test response (at 14 Hz) was measured as a function of the SF of the masker. Group masking functions were broad (2–3 octaves) and revealed multiple minima. Functions for 1 and 3 c/deg tests each revealed minima near 1 and 3 c/deg. Functions for 8 c/deg tests revealed minima at 3 and 8 c/deg. Doubling the contrast of the mask from 20 to 40% increased masking but in a nonlinear fashion that enlarged the off-peak minima. Swept masks caused slightly more masking than fixed masks, and caused masked amplitudes to exceed unmasked amplitudes (i.e., enhancement) in one condition (3 c/deg test, 20% contrast mask). The data suggest that each VEP masking function reflects the outputs of multiple spatial analyzers, that a discrete set of analyzers may underlie the data, and that the efficient sweep-VEP can measure SF tuning.

View all citing articles on Scopus

: This work was presented at the ARVO meeting, Sarasota, May 1983.

View full text

Spatial frequency mechanisms in human vision investigated by evoked potential recording

Abstract

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Brain Res.

Vision Res.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Vision Res.

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Visual cortical neurons: Are bars or gratings the optimal stimuli?

Science

On the existence of neurons in the human visual system selectively sensitive to the orientation and size of retinal images

J. Physiol.

Channels in vision: Basic aspects

Criterion-free pattern and flicker thresholds

J. opt. Soc. Am.

Meridional visual evoked potential latency changes in multiple sclerosis

Ann. Neurol.

The transmission of spatial information through the visual system

Application of Fourier analysis to the visibility of gratings

J. Physiol.

Electrophysiological evidence for the existence of orientation and size detectors in the human visual system

J. Physiol.

Cerebral potentials evoked by pattern reversal and their suppression m visual rivalry

Nature

Spatial vision

Ann. Rev Psychol.

Cat retinal ganglion cells and grating patierns

J. opt. Soi. Am.

Visual masking

Spatial frequency channels in human vision : Detecting edges without edge detectors