Saccadic displacements of the retinal image: effects on the visual system in the cat.

Abstract Electrical activity of lateral geniculate nucleus, optic tract and visual cortex was recorded in cats paralysed with curare. The responses to a low intensity flash of light were studied when the flash was associated with the sudden movement (> 300°/sec) on the retina of an image involving contours. When the flash occurred 50 msec after the beginning of the movement, the response was strongly diminished in amplitude, and was normal again if the delay between both stimuli became longer than 200 msec. When the flash occurred before the movement, it was on the contrary the potential induced by the movement which was reduced in amplitude with the same delays. These results show that any movement on the retina of a structured image may alter the signals of stationary stimuli. It would be possible to explain on these lines the perceptive “suppression” observed during rapid ocular movements.

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