Coherent illusory contours reduce microsaccade frequency.

• Synchronized high-frequency gamma band oscillations (30-100 Hz) are thought to mediate the binding of single visual features into whole-object representations. For example, induced gamma band oscillations (iGBRs) have been recorded ∼ 280 ms after the onset of a coherent Kanizsa triangle, but not after an incoherent equivalent shape. However, several recent studies have provided evidence that the EEG-recorded iGBR may be a by-product of small saccadic eye movements (microsaccades). Considering these two previous findings, one would hypothesis that there should be more microsaccades following the onset of a coherent Kanizsa triangle. However, we found that microsaccade rebound rate was significantly higher after an incoherent triangle was presented. This result suggests that microsaccades are not a reliable indicator of perceptual binding, and, more importantly, implies that iGBR cannot be universally produced by ocular artefacts.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Brain Waves

Evoked Potentials

physiology

Humans

Optical Illusions

physiology

Perceptual Closure

physiology

Saccades

physiology

Sensory Thresholds

Young Adult

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)