Finding flicker: critical differences in temporal frequency capture attention.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Cass J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3216028 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Visual motion captures attention, but little is known about the automaticity of these effects. Here, we tested if deviant flicker frequencies, as one form of motion, automatically capture attention. Observers searched for a vertical target among tilted distractors. Prior to the target display, a cue array of sinusoidally modulating (flickering) annuli, each surrounding one location of the subsequent target(-plus-distractors) display was presented for variable durations. Annuli either flickered all at 1 Hz (neutral condition, no-singleton cue), or a single annulus flickered at a unique frequency of 5 Hz, 10 Hz, or 15 Hz. The location of this singleton-frequency cue was uncorrelated with target location. Thus, we could measure benefits (target at cued location) and costs (target ≠ cued location) for cues of different frequencies and durations. The results showed that deviant flicker frequencies capture attention, as we observed benefits and costs, falsifying that nonspatial filtering accounted for the cueing effect. In line with automatic capture, cueing was effective in singleton (Experiment 1) and nonsingleton search tasks (Experiment 2), and is thus not dependent on ("top-down") singleton detection mode. Moreover, analysis of results ruled out trial-by-trial "swapping" of flicker frequencies from preceding target to subsequent distractor locations. Results also revealed increasing cueing effects with higher cue flicker frequency and longer duration. This indicates a significantly longer period of automatic capture by sinusoidal flicker than the typical inhibition of return observed around 250 ms after the onset of uninformative static or single-transient cues.
| S-EPMC8084820 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Recent studies highlight the importance of the temporal domain in visual processing. Critical Flicker-Fusion Frequency (CFF), the frequency at which a flickering light is perceived as continuous, is widely used for evaluating visual temporal processing. However, substantial variability in the psychophysical paradigms, used for measuring CFF, leads to substantial variability in the reported results. Here, we report on a comprehensive comparison of CFF measurements through three different psychophysical paradigms: methods of limits; method of constant stimuli, and staircase method. Our results demonstrate that the CFF can be reliably measured with high repeatability by all three psychophysics methods. However, correlations (r = 0.92, p≪0.001) and agreement (Bland Altman test indicated 95% confidence limit variation of ±3.6 Hz), were highest between the staircase and the constant stimuli methods. The time required to complete the test was significantly longer for the constant stimuli method as compared to other methods (p < 0.001). Our results highlight the suitability of the adaptive paradigm for efficiently measuring temporal resolution in the visual system.
| S-EPMC5688103 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Rhythmic visual stimulation ("flicker") is primarily used to "tag" processing of low-level visual and high-level cognitive phenomena. However, preliminary evidence suggests that flicker may also entrain endogenous brain oscillations, thereby modulating cognitive processes supported by those brain rhythms. Here we tested the interaction between 10 Hz flicker and endogenous alpha-band (?10 Hz) oscillations during a selective visuospatial attention task. We recorded EEG from human participants (both genders) while they performed a modified Eriksen flanker task in which distractors and targets flickered within (10 Hz) or outside (7.5 or 15 Hz) the alpha band. By using a combination of EEG source separation, time-frequency, and single-trial linear mixed-effects modeling, we demonstrate that 10 Hz flicker interfered with stimulus processing more on incongruent than congruent trials (high vs low selective attention demands). Crucially, the effect of 10 Hz flicker on task performance was predicted by the distance between 10 Hz and individual alpha peak frequency (estimated during the task). Finally, the flicker effect on task performance was more strongly predicted by EEG flicker responses during stimulus processing than during preparation for the upcoming stimulus, suggesting that 10 Hz flicker interfered more with reactive than proactive selective attention. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that visual flicker entrained endogenous alpha-band networks, which in turn impaired task performance. Our findings also provide novel evidence for frequency-dependent exogenous modulation of cognition that is determined by the correspondence between the exogenous flicker frequency and the endogenous brain rhythms.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Here we provide novel evidence that the interaction between exogenous rhythmic visual stimulation and endogenous brain rhythms can have frequency-specific behavioral effects. We show that alpha-band (10 Hz) flicker impairs stimulus processing in a selective attention task when the stimulus flicker rate matches individual alpha peak frequency. The effect of sensory flicker on task performance was stronger when selective attention demands were high, and was stronger during stimulus processing and response selection compared with the prestimulus anticipatory period. These findings provide novel evidence that frequency-specific sensory flicker affects online attentional processing, and also demonstrate that the correspondence between exogenous and endogenous rhythms is an overlooked prerequisite when testing for frequency-specific cognitive effects of flicker.
| S-EPMC6596538 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDue to media opacity, it is usually difficult to accurately evaluate the postoperative visual acuity in cataracts patients. As a small and portable tool, the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) device reflects the temporal resolution of visual function and has been widely used in clinical research. However, poor understanding of the technique and equipment limitations have restricted its clinical application in China.Main textThere was a decrease in the CFF value in various ophthalmic diseases, indicating that the CFF is sensitive to detect visual functional changes. A number of studies have shown that the CFF test can accurately distinguish patients with simple cataracts from those with cataracts combined with fundus disease, and, as a visual test, it can more accurately predict postoperative visual acuity without being affected by media opacity. This study comprehensive reviews the basic principles of CFF and its application in ophthalmology, especially in cataracts.ConclusionsAs one of the tools for dynamic visual function detection, the CFF test could help doctors to assess the possible presence of fundus disease in cataracts patients, especially in eyes with dense cataracts, and more precisely provide a reasonable visual prognosis than other available visual tests.
| S-EPMC10577820 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMinimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) reduces quality of life, increases the risk of road traffic incidents and predicts progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy and death. Current psychometry-based diagnostic methods are effective, but time-consuming and a universal 'gold standard' test has yet to be agreed upon. Critical Flicker Frequency (CFF) is a proposed language-independent diagnostic tool for MHE, but its accuracy has yet to be confirmed.AimTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of CFF for MHE by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies, which report on the diagnostic accuracy of this test.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed to locate all publications reporting on the diagnostic accuracy of CFF for MHE. Data were extracted from 2 × 2 tables or calculated from reported accuracy data. Collated data were meta-analysed for sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and summary receiver operator curve (sROC) analysis. Prespecified subgroup analysis and meta-regression were also performed.ResultsNine studies with data for 622 patients were included. Summary sensitivity was 61% (95% CI: 55-67), specificity 79% (95% CI: 75-83) and DOR 10.9 (95% CI: 4.2-28.3). A symmetrical sROC gave an area under the receiver operator curve of 0.84 (SE = 0.06). The heterogeneity of the DOR was 74%.ConclusionsCritical Flicker Frequency has a high specificity and moderate sensitivity for diagnosing minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Given the advantages of language independence and being both simple to perform and interpret, we suggest the use of critical flicker frequency as an adjunct (but not replacement) to psychometric testing.
| S-EPMC3761188 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Although we must prioritize the processing of task-relevant information to navigate life, our ability to do so fluctuates across time. Previous work has identified fMRI functional connectivity (FC) networks that predict an individual's ability to sustain attention and vary with attentional state from one minute to the next. However, traditional dynamic FC approaches typically lack the temporal precision to capture moment-by-moment network fluctuations. Recently, researchers have 'unfurled' traditional FC matrices in 'edge cofluctuation time series' which measure time point-by-time point cofluctuations between regions. Here we apply event-based and parametric fMRI analyses to edge time series to capture high-frequency fluctuations in networks related to attention. In two independent fMRI datasets in which participants performed a sustained attention task, we identified a reliable set of edges that rapidly deflects in response to rare task events. Another set of edges varies with continuous fluctuations in attention and overlaps with a previously defined set of edges associated with individual differences in sustained attention. Demonstrating that edge-based analyses are not simply redundant with traditional regions-of-interest based approaches, up to one-third of reliably deflected edges were not predicted from univariate activity patterns alone. These results reveal the large potential in combining traditional fMRI analyses with edge time series to identify rapid reconfigurations in networks across the brain.
| S-EPMC10369861 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Lay abstractOne behaviour often observed in individuals with autism is that they tend to look less towards social stimuli relative to neurotypical individuals. For instance, many eye-tracking studies have shown that individuals with autism will look less towards people and more towards objects in scenes. However, we currently know very little about how these behaviours change over time. Tracking these moment-to-moment changes in looking behaviour in individuals with autism can more clearly illustrate how they respond to social stimuli. In this study, adults with and without autism were presented with displays of social and non-social stimuli, while looking behaviours were measured by eye-tracking. We found large differences in how the two groups looked towards social stimuli over time. Neurotypical individuals initially showed a high probability of looking towards social stimuli, then a decline in probability, and a subsequent increase in probability after prolonged viewing. By contrast, individuals with autism showed an initial increase in probability, followed by a continuous decline in probability that did not recover. This pattern of results may indicate that individuals with autism exhibit reduced responsivity to the reward value of social stimuli. Moreover, our data suggest that exploring the temporal nature of gaze behaviours can lead to more precise explanatory theories of attention in autism.
| S-EPMC8323332 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionCognitive impairment related to inert gas narcosis (IGN) is a threat to diving safety and operations at depth that might be reduced by using enriched air nitrox (EANx) mixtures. Using critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF), a possible early detection of cognitive abilities/cerebral arousal impairment when breathing different oxygen (O2) fractions was investigated.MethodsEight male volunteers performed, in random order, two dry chamber dives breathing either air or EANx40 (40% O₂-60% nitrogen) for 20 minutes (min) at 0.4 MPa. Cognition and arousal were assessed before the dive; upon arrival at 0.4 MPa; after 15 min exposure at 0.4 MPa; on surfacing and 30 min post-dive using behavioural computer-based testing psychology experiment building language (PEBL) and by CFFF while continuously recording brain oxygenation with near-infrared spectroscopy.ResultsIn both breathing conditions, CFFF and PEBL demonstrated a significant inverse correlation (Pearson r of -0.90, P < 0.0001), improved cognitive abilities/cerebral arousal occurred upon arrival at 0.4 MPa followed by a progressive deterioration. Initial brain activation was associated with a significant increase in oxyhaemoglobin (HbO2) and a simultaneous decrease of deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb). The magnitude of the changes was significantly greater under EANx (P = 0.038).ConclusionsSince changes were not related to haemodynamic variables, HbO₂ and HHb values indicate a significant, O₂-dependent activation in the prefrontal cortex. Owing to the correlation with some tests from the PEBL, CFFF could be a convenient measure of cognitive performance/ability in extreme environments, likely under the direct influence of oxygen partial pressure, a potent modulator of IGN symptoms.
| S-EPMC6704008 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Earlier work on self-face processing has reported a bias in the processing of self-face result in faster response to self-face in comparison to other familiar and unfamiliar faces (termed as self-face advantage or SFA). Even though most studies agree that the SFA occurs due to an attentional bias, there is little agreement regarding the stage at which it occurs. While a large number of studies show self-face influencing processing later at disengagement stage, early event-related potential components show differential activity for the self-face suggesting that SFA occurs early. We address this contradiction using a cueless temporal order judgment task that allows us to investigate early perceptual processing, while bias due to top-down expectation is controlled. A greater shift in point of subjective simultaneity for self-face would indicate a greater processing advantage at early perceptual stage. With help of two experiments, we show an early perceptual advantage for self-face, compared to both a friend's face and an unfamiliar face (Experiment 1). This advantage is present even when the effect of criterion shift is minimized (Experiment 2). Interestingly, the magnitude of advantage is similar for self-friend and self-unfamiliar pair. The evidence from the two experiments suggests early capture of attention as a likely reason for the SFA, which is present for the self-face but not for other familiar faces.
| S-EPMC8327255 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAttention is restricted for the second of two targets when it is presented within 200-500 ms of the first target. This attentional blink (AB) phenomenon allows one to study the dynamics of temporal selective attention by varying the interval between the two targets (T1 and T2). Whereas the AB has long been considered as a robust and universal cognitive limitation, several studies have demonstrated that AB task performance greatly differs between individuals, with some individuals showing no AB whatsoever.Methodology/principal findingsHere, we studied these individual differences in AB task performance in relation to differences in attentional timing. Furthermore, we investigated whether AB magnitude is predictive for the amount of attention allocated to T1. For both these purposes pupil dilation was measured, and analyzed with our recently developed deconvolution method. We found that the dynamics of temporal attention in small versus large blinkers differ in a number of ways. Individuals with a relatively small AB magnitude seem better able to preserve temporal order information. In addition, they are quicker to allocate attention to both T1 and T2 than large blinkers. Although a popular explanation of the AB is that it is caused by an unnecessary overinvestment of attention allocated to T1, a more complex picture emerged from our data, suggesting that this may depend on whether one is a small or a large blinker.ConclusionThe use of pupil dilation deconvolution seems to be a powerful approach to study the temporal dynamics of attention, bringing us a step closer to understanding the elusive nature of the AB. We conclude that the timing of attention to targets may be more important than the amount of allocated attention in accounting for individual differences.
| S-EPMC4682773 | biostudies-literature