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Microsaccades Counteract Visual Fading during Fixation
Journal Title
Neuron
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Publication Date
2006-01
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Publication Volume
49
Publication Issue
2
Publication Begin
297
Publication End
305
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Article
Adobe PDF, 873.89 KB
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Adobe PDF, 102.94 KB
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Abstract
Our eyes move continually, even while we fixate our gaze on an object. If fixational eye movements are counteracted, our perception of stationary objects fades completely, due to neural adaptation. Some studies have suggested that fixational microsaccades refresh retinal images, thereby preventing adaptation and fading. However, other studies disagree, and so the role of microsaccades remains unclear. Here, we correlate visibility during fixation to the occurrence of microsaccades. We asked subjects to indicate when Troxler fading of a peripheral target occurs, while simultaneously recording their eye movements with high precision. We found that before a fading period, the probability, rate, and magnitude of microsaccades decreased. Before transitions toward visibility, the probability, rate, and magnitude of microsaccades increased. These results reveal a direct link between suppression of microsaccades and fading and suggest a causal relationship between microsaccade production and target visibility during fixation.
Citation
Martinez-Conde S, Macknik SL, Troncoso XG, Dyar TA. Microsaccades counteract visual fading during fixation. Neuron. 2006 Jan 19;49(2):297-305. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.11.033. PMID: 16423702.