Volume 6, Number 13, Abstract 21, Page 21a doi:10.1167/6.13.21 http://journalofvision.org/6/13/21/ ISSN 1534-7362
Regions of human visual cortex sensitive to small vernier offsets as determined by EEG source-imaging
Anthony M. Norcia
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
[e-mail]
Mark W. Pettet
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
Vladimir Y. Vildavski
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
Alex R. Wade
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute
L. Greg Appelbaum
Duke University, Durham, NC
Abstract

Humans can determine the relative position of visual features with a precision ('vernier acuity') better than the sampling resolution of the cone mosaic. Here we use high-density EEG recordings combined with distributed source imaging methods to identify two regions of visual cortex that underlie the detection of near-threshold vernier offsets. Eight observers were presented with a set of 1 arc min vernier offsets that were periodically introduced and withdrawn from a 2 cpd square wave luminance grating at 3.75 Hz (alignment/misalignment). The offset regions of the grating alternated with static regions that served as a position reference. Psychophysical thresholds for this target are in the range of 15-30 arc sec (Norcia et al., 1999). This condition was contrasted with a control condition in which the 1 arc min vernier offsets displaced symmetrically with respect to the reference (misalignment/misalignment). EEG responses to each condition were recorded over 128 channels and were averaged at each electrode across observers. These “sensor-space” averages were aligned to an individual observer's head model generated from a structural MRI. Current density on the cortical surface was determined by a minimum norm inverse. Subtraction of the misalignment/misalignment condition from the alignment/misalignment condition isolates activity that is specific to the relative position of the offsets and the reference. This activity is maximal at the occipital pole (areas V1,V2,V3), but there is a secondary maximum in the middle occipital gyrus, bilaterally. This is the first evidence for a high-resolution position mechanism outside of the classical retinotopic areas.

History
Received November 1, 2006; published December 29, 2006
Citation
Norcia, A. M., Pettet, M. W., Vildavski, V. Y., Wade, A. R., & Appelbaum, L. G. (2006). Regions of human visual cortex sensitive to small vernier offsets as determined by EEG source-imaging [Abstract]. Journal of Vision, 6(13):21, 21a, http://journalofvision.org/6/13/21/, doi:10.1167/6.13.21.
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