Second-site adaptation in the red–green detection pathway: only elicited by low-spatial-frequency test stimuli

• Published in: Vision research (Oxford) 1999-09, Vol.39 (18), p.3011-3023
• Main Authors: Stromeyer III, C.F., Gowdy, P.D., Chaparro, A., Kronauer, R.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Color Perception - physiology; Contrast Sensitivity - physiology; Discrimination (Psychology) - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Perception; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Red–green mechanism; Second-site adaptation; Sensory Thresholds - physiology; Space Perception - physiology; Spatial frequency; Vision; Visual Perception - physiology
• ISSN: 0042-6989; 1878-5646
• DOI: 10.1016/S0042-6989(98)00328-9

The red–green (RG) detection mechanism was revealed by measuring threshold detection contours in the L and M cone contrast plane for sine-wave test gratings of 0.8–6 c deg −1 on bright adapting fields of yellow or red. The slope of the RG detection contours was unity, indicating that the L and M contrast signals contribute equally (with opposite signs) on both the yellow and the red fields; this reflects first-site, cone-selective adaptation. Second-site adaptation, which may reflect saturation at a color-opponent site, was evidenced by the RG detection contours being further out from the origin of the cone contrast plane on the red field than on the yellow field. Second-site adaptation was strong (3-fold) for low spatial frequency test gratings but greatly diminished by 6 c deg −1. The disappearance of second-site adaptation with increasing spatial frequency can be explained by spatial frequency channels. The most sensitive detectors may comprise a low spatial frequency channel which is susceptible to masking by the chromatic, spatial DC component of the red field. The 6 c deg −1 patterns may be detected by a less sensitive, higher frequency channel which is less affected by the uniform red field. The RG spatial frequency channels likely arise in the cortex, implicating a partially central site for the second-site effect.