Probability‐independent and ‐dependent ERPs reflecting visual change detection

Abstract

In ERP studies, two posterior components with different polarities have been identified as ERP correlates of visual change detection. To compare these components in terms of sensitivity to the preceding stimulus sequence, two peripheral stimuli of different colors (red and blue) were presented with equal (50:50) or different probabilities (20:80 or 80:20), while 12 participants performed shape discrimination at a central location. A posterior positivity at around 90–140 ms was observed with similar amplitude to all stimuli immediately preceded by a different stimulus. In contrast, a posterior negativity at around 140–180 ms was observed to increase in amplitude with increasing number of preceding different stimuli. These results suggest the existence of probability‐independent and ‐dependent change processing in the human visual system. The functional significance is discussed in terms of memory‐based comparison and stimulus‐specific refractoriness.

Attention switching function of memory-comparison-based change detection system in the visual modality

“…As seen in the interpretation by Berti and Schröger (2001, 2006, this component might reflect memory-comparison-based change detection (e.g., Czigler et al, 2002Winkler et al, 2005) or refractoriness-based rareness detection (e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et al, 2005). Also, change-related positivity is usually observed at around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset with a posterior scalp-distribution (e.g., Fonteneau and Davidoff, 2007;Fu et al, 2003;Kimura et al 2005aKimura et al , 2005bKimura et al , 2006aKimura et al , 2006bKimura et al , 2006cWang et al, 2003).…”

“…Although Berti andSchröger (2001, 2004) interpreted the negativity in terms of memory-comparison-based change detection (e.g., Czigler et al, 2002Winkler et al, 2005) as auditory MMN (Näätänen et al, 1978), they later (Berti and Schröger, 2006) interpreted the negativity in terms of lower adaptation levels of afferent neurons that specifically responded to infrequent stimuli (i.e., refractoriness-based rareness detection, e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et al, 2005) as an auditory N1 component (Näätänen and Picton, 1987). Refractoriness-based rareness detection may also be related to memory, since afferent neurons indirectly contain information about previous stimulation.…”

“…Change-related negativity is usually observed at around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset with a posterior scalp-distribution (e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Czigler et al, 2002Czigler et al, , 2004Heslenfeld, 2003;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et Visual distraction & ERPs 8 al., 2005;Winkler et al, 2005, for a review, see Pazo-Alvarez et al, 2003). As seen in the interpretation by Berti and Schröger (2001, 2006, this component might reflect memory-comparison-based change detection (e.g., Czigler et al, 2002Winkler et al, 2005) or refractoriness-based rareness detection (e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et al, 2005). Also, change-related positivity is usually observed at around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset with a posterior scalp-distribution (e.g., Fonteneau and Davidoff, 2007;Fu et al, 2003;Kimura et al 2005aKimura et al , 2005bKimura et al , 2006aKimura et al , 2006bKimura et al , 2006cWang et al, 2003).…”

“…In contrast, the earliest change-related effect observed in response to size increments but not size decrements should be regarded as an ERP correlate of refractoriness-based rareness detection. A likely candidate for memory-comparison-based change detection is change-related negativity or change-related positivity (see Kimura et al, 2006c). Change-related negativity is usually observed at around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset with a posterior scalp-distribution (e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Czigler et al, 2002Czigler et al, , 2004Heslenfeld, 2003;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et Visual distraction & ERPs 8 al., 2005;Winkler et al, 2005, for a review, see Pazo-Alvarez et al, 2003).…”

“…A likely candidate for memory-comparison-based change detection is change-related negativity or change-related positivity (see Kimura et al, 2006c). Change-related negativity is usually observed at around 100-200 ms after stimulus onset with a posterior scalp-distribution (e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Czigler et al, 2002Czigler et al, , 2004Heslenfeld, 2003;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et Visual distraction & ERPs 8 al., 2005;Winkler et al, 2005, for a review, see Pazo-Alvarez et al, 2003). As seen in the interpretation by Berti and Schröger (2001, 2006, this component might reflect memory-comparison-based change detection (e.g., Czigler et al, 2002Winkler et al, 2005) or refractoriness-based rareness detection (e.g., Alho et al, 1992;Kenemans et al, 2003;Kimura et al, 2006c;Mazza et al, 2005).…”