Transient visually evoked potentials to the pattern reversal and onset of sinusoidal gratings

doi:10.1016/0013-4694(83)90069-X

Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology

Volume 56, Issue 2, August 1983, Pages 147-158

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Cited by (79)

Visual stress, its treatment with spectral filters, and its relationship to visually induced motion sickness
2010, Applied Ergonomics
Citation Excerpt :
They are stimuli that at high contrasts interfere with the visibility of small low contrast target stimuli, masking them effectively (Chronicle and Wilkins, 1996). The stimuli evoke high-amplitude electrical signals from the scalp (Plant et al., 1983) and large blood oxygenation dependent signals during functional magnetic resonance imaging (Huang et al., 2003). They induce perceptual distortions (Wilkins et al., 1984) and, in those who are susceptible, migraine (Huang et al., 2003) and seizures (Wilkins et al., 1980).
We review the concept of visual stress and its relation to neurological disease. Visual stress can occur from the observation of images with unnatural spatial structure and an excess of contrast energy at spatial frequencies to which the visual system is generally most sensitive. Visual stress can often be reduced using spectral filters, provided the colour is selected with precision to suit each individual. The use of such filters and their effects on reading speed are reviewed. The filters have been shown to benefit patients with a variety of neurological conditions other than reading difficulty, all associated with an increased risk of seizures.
A decomposition of electrocortical activity as a function of spatial frequency: A weighted multidimensional scaling analysis
2008, Brain Research
Citation Excerpt :
Clear evidence has been provided that different spatial frequencies result in different VEPs. The most salient difference occurs between 70 and 120 ms after stimulus onset over occipital–temporal areas, consisting of an increased negative (or decreased positive) amplitude to high as compared to low spatial frequencies (e.g., Bodis-Wollner et al., 1992; Harter and White, 1970; Kenemans et al., 1993; Plant et al., 1983; Proverbio et al., 1996, 1993; Reed et al., 1884; Zani and Proverbio, 1995). Several investigators have suggested that these differences in amplitude are related to different brain areas (e.g., Aine et al., 1990; Drasdo, 1980; Hudnell et al., 1990).
In this study, we examined the usefulness of weighted multidimensional scaling (WMDS) to decompose electrocortical activity of multiple brain sources. This electrocortical activity was evoked by checkerboard stimuli of four different spatial frequencies (0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 cpd), presented to 12 participants under passive viewing conditions. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded with a high density montage of 60 electrodes. These data were analyzed by using WMDS, resulting in four different dimensions, each of which can be considered equivalent to a potential scalp distribution, i.e. dipole source. The first of these dipole sources, which were determined by brain electrical source analysis (BESA), was predominantly activated by higher spatial frequencies, the second and third were predominantly activated by lower spatial frequencies, while the third and fourth sources were characterized by hemispheric asymmetry. Moreover, the neural activity of these brain sources was characterized by different patterns as a function of spatial frequency and time. The results suggest that visual processing of spatial frequencies comprises relatively separate subsystems with different spatiotemporal response characteristics.
Abnormal spatial frequency processing in high-functioning children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD)
2007, Clinical Neurophysiology
Citation Excerpt :
Specifically, around 80 ms high spatial frequencies evoke more negativity over occipital areas than do low spatial frequencies. This early sensory difference between high and low spatial frequency processing expressed in VEP amplitude is robust and has been found repeatedly in adults and children, using both gratings and checkerboards, with both sinusoidal and square-wave stimuli, and irrespective of attention manipulation (Rietveld et al., 1967; Harter and White, 1970; Drasdo, 1980; Plant et al., 1983; Skrandies, 1984; Reed et al., 1984; Ossenblok and Spekreijse, 1991; Ossenblok, 1992; Kenemans et al., 1993; Ossenblok et al., 1994; Kenemans and Lorist, 1995; Zani and Proverbio, 1995; Proverbio et al., 1996; Kenemans et al., 2000; Martinez et al., 2001; Boeschoten et al., 2005b). Further, dipole-source analyses in typical subjects have indicated that the larger negativity during high spatial frequency processing around 80 ms originates from relatively (peri-) striate areas, while the larger positivity seen during low spatial frequency processing around this latency originates from relatively extra-striate areas (Ossenblok and Spekreijse, 1991; Ossenblok, 1992; Ossenblok et al., 1994; Kenemans et al., 2000; Martinez et al., 2001; Baas et al., 2002; Boeschoten et al., 2005b).
Basic abnormalities in visual information processing could be associated with the local visual bias often found in subjects with PDD. Therefore, the present study investigated the existence of deficits in spatial frequency processing at an early sensory level in children with PDD.
Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and VEP dipole sources elicited by high and low spatial frequency gratings were analyzed in high-functioning children with PDD and matched controls.
Around 80 ms (N80-latency) children with PDD did not show the same robust differences between high and low spatial frequencies in VEP amplitude and VEP brain sources as controls, because of atypical processing of high frequencies. Analyses at the P1-latency (130 ms) revealed that, although similar inferior–medial brain sources were activated for the processing of both spatial frequencies in the PDD and control group, source strength in response to both frequencies was weaker in the PDD compared to control group. Moreover, additional superior–lateral brain sources were activated during the processing of both frequencies in the PDD group.
Decreased specialized processing of high and low spatial frequencies might be a robust characteristic of PDD. Early in processing abnormalities in high spatial frequency processing seem to occur in PDD. At a later phase in processing there seems to be both atypical high and low spatial frequency processing. Considering that the processing of specific spatial frequencies plays an important role in the processing of global and local aspects of hierarchical stimuli and faces and of emotions, present data suggest that peculiarities in PDD subjects with respect to these stimuli might be related to an abnormality in more fundamental visual processes.
A basic abnormality in visual frequency processing is established in children with PDD.
Low- and high-frequency evoked responses following pattern reversal stimuli: A MEG study supported by fMRI constraint
2007, NeuroImage
We investigated the neural generators of N1 and P1 components of visual magnetic responses through the concomitant study of low (1–15 Hz)- and high (15–30 Hz)-frequency brain activities phase-locked to stimulus and elicited by pattern reversal visual stimuli. Whole helmet magnetic recordings and dipole modeling technique with support of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were used to characterize locations and orientations of N1 and P1 sources as a function of four stimulated visual field quadrants. A comparison between low- and high-frequency activities revealed fundamental differences among orientations of the quadrants dipoles thus suggesting partly distinct neural populations underlying low- and high-frequency responses to transient contrast visual stimuli. Moreover, for both low- and high-frequency bands the specific study of locations and orientations of N1 and P1 sources indicated V1/V2 cortex as the neural substrate generating the two components. In summary, we provided strong support for a cortical genesis of human oscillatory mass activity following transient contrast stimuli with specific neural districts active in the low- and high-frequency bands. The converging results obtained from the concomitant investigation of probably different brain activities provided new evidences for a striate genesis of N1 and P1 components of the broadband visual-evoked responses following pattern reversal.
Studies of human visual pathophysiology with visual evoked potentials
2006, Clinical Neurophysiology
Citation Excerpt :
Part of the conflict in the literature is a consequence of attempts to relate components in the waveform across studies from different laboratories that have used very different stimuli. Stimulus types (checkerboard vs gratings), spatial frequencies (low vs high), contrast (low vs high), the location of the stimulus field (upper vs lower or right vs left), eccentricities (central vs peripheral) are important factors that have an impact on whether one sees CI and CII as predominantly a striate or extrastriate source (Aine et al., 1995; Jeffreys, 1977; Kenemans et al., 2000; Plant et al., 1983). The multiplicity of the extrastriate cortices in humans is slowly being unravelled and will require additional studies.
Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) offer reproducible and quantitative data on the function of the visual pathways and the visual cortex. Pattern reversal VEPs to full-field stimulation are best suited to evaluate anterior visual pathways while hemi-field stimulation is most effective in the assessment of post-chiasmal function. However, visual information is processed simultaneously via multiple parallel channels and each channel constitutes a set of sequential processes. We outline the major parallel pathways of the visual system from the retina to the primary visual cortex and higher visual areas via lateral geniculate nucleus that receive visual input. There is no best method of stimulus selection, rather visual stimuli and VEPs' recording should be tailored to answer specific clinical and/or research questions. Newly developed techniques that can assess the functions of extrastriate as well as striate cortices are discussed. Finally, an algorithm of sequential steps to evaluate the various levels of visual processing is proposed and its clinical use revisited.
Time-varying differences in evoked potentials elicited by high versus low spatial frequencies: A topographical and source analysis
2005, Clinical Neurophysiology
To investigate time-varying differences in visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) and dipoles elicited by high versus low spatial frequencies. The main question was whether different spatial frequencies are processed in distinct cortical areas, especially after 100 ms. An additional question was whether and how a hemispheric balance in spatial frequency processing develops over time.
Stimuli were square-wave gratings, with spatial frequencies of 0.75, 1.5, and 6 c/d. VEPs and dipole models were analyzed at various latencies.
For the time-window of 80–100 ms, spatial frequency-related differences in VEPs and dipoles in posterior regions as reported previously were replicated: lower spatial frequencies were associated with more positivity in the VEP and with more anterior and radial sources than high frequencies. However, after 100 ms differences in amplitude, but not in topography and dipoles, were found between the different spatial frequencies. Between 180–200 ms a right hemisphere dominance was found for all frequencies.
After 100 ms, VEPs in response to different spatial frequencies seem to be generated in the same cortical areas. Also, no evidence for frequency-related hemispheric lateralization was found.
Insight is provided into the functional-anatomical basis of longer-latency frequency-related differences in processing.

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Clinical sectionTransient visually evoked potentials to the pattern reversal and onset of sinusoidal gratings

First page preview

Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Vision Res.

Simultaneously recorded retinal and cortical responses to patterned stimuli

J. Opt. Soc. Amer.

An investigation into the variation of human contrast sensitivity with age and ocular pathology

Brit. J. Ophthal.

Contrast sensitivity in children and adults

Brit. J. Ophthal.

On the existence in the human visual system of neurones selectively sensitive to the orientation and size of retinal images

J. Physiol. (Lond.)

Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in patients with cerebral lesion

Science

A method of testing and evaluating blurred vision in cerebral lesions

Trans. Amer. neurol. Ass.

Channels in vision: basic aspects

Electrophysiological evidence for the existence of orientation and size detectors in the human visual system

J. Physiol. (Lond.)

Clinical section
Transient visually evoked potentials to the pattern reversal and onset of sinusoidal gratings