Spontaneous EEG oscillations reveal periodic sampling of visual attention

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1004801107
• Publication Date: 2010-08-31T02:49:18Z
• Authors: Niko A. Busch; Rufin VanRullen
• Keywords: Facilitation; Stimulus (psychology)

An important effect of sustained attention is the facilitation perception. Although term “sustained” suggests that this beneficial endures continuously as long something attended, we present electrophysiological evidence perception at attended locations actually modulated periodically. Subjects detected brief light flashes were presented peripherally either or unattended. We analyzed correlation between detection performance for and unattended stimuli phase ongoing EEG oscillations, which relate to subsecond fluctuations neuronal excitability. on average, was improved by attention—indicated reduced thresholds locations—we found fluctuated over time along with spontaneous oscillations in θ (≈7 Hz) frequency band just before stimulus onset. This fluctuation absent stimuli. pattern results fact exerts its facilitative a periodic fashion.