Neural Mechanisms of Saccadic Suppression

In normal vision our gaze leaps from detail to detail, resulting in rapid image motion across the retina. Yet we are unaware of such motion, a phenomenon known as saccadic suppression. We recorded neural activity in the middle temporal and middle superior temporal cortical areas during saccades and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2002-03, Vol.295 (5564), p.2460-2462
Main Authors: Thiele, A., Henning, P., Kubischik, M., K.-P. Hoffmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Behavioral neuroscience
Biological and medical sciences
Brain
Eye
Eye and associated structures. Visual pathways and centers. Vision
Eye Movements
Eyes & eyesight
Feedback (Response)
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Kinetics
Macaca mulatta
Motion
Motion Perception
Motion perception (Vision)
Neurology
Neurons
Neurons - physiology
Perceptual Masking
Physiological aspects
Retina - physiology
Retinal images
Saccades
Saccades - physiology
Speed
Statistical Analysis
Temporal Lobe - physiology
Time perception
Velocity
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
Visual fixation
Visual Pathways
Visual Perception
Visual system
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Summary:In normal vision our gaze leaps from detail to detail, resulting in rapid image motion across the retina. Yet we are unaware of such motion, a phenomenon known as saccadic suppression. We recorded neural activity in the middle temporal and middle superior temporal cortical areas during saccades and identical image motion under passive viewing conditions. Some neurons were selectively silenced during saccadic image motion, but responded well to identical external image motion. In addition, a subpopulation of neurons reversed their preferred direction of motion during saccades. Consequently, oppositely directed motion signals annul one another, and motion percepts are suppressed.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1068788