Perceptual cycles travel across retinotopic space

Abstract

Visual perception waxes and wanes periodically over time at low frequencies (theta, 4-7Hz; alpha, 8-13Hz) creating perceptual cycles. These perceptual cycles can be induced when stimulating the brain with a flickering visual stimulus at the theta or alpha frequency. Here, we took advantage of the well-known organization of the visual system into retinotopic maps (topographic correspondence between visual and cortical spaces) to assess the spatial organization of induced perceptual cycles. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that they can propagate across the retinotopic space. A disk oscillating in luminance (inducer) at 4, 6, 8 or 10 Hz was presented in the periphery of the visual field to induce perceptual cycles at specific frequencies. Electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings verified that the brain responded at the corresponding inducer frequencies and their first harmonics. Perceptual cycles were assessed with a concurrent detection task -target stimuli were displayed at threshold contrast (50% detection) at random times during the inducer. Behavioral results confirmed that perceptual performance was modulated periodically by the inducer at each frequency. We additionally manipulated the distance between the target and the inducer (3 possible positions) and showed that the optimal phase, i.e., moment of highest target detection, shifted across target distance to the inducer, specifically when its flicker frequency was in the alpha range (8 and 10 Hz). These results demonstrate that induced alpha perceptual cycles travel across the retinotopic space in human at a propagation speed of 0.3-0.5 m/s, consistent with the speed of unmyelinated horizontal connections in the visual cortex.