Voluntary alteration of visual evoked potentials.
J Bumgartner, C M Epstein
Annals of Neurology November 1982 DOI: 10.1002/ana.410120511 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Normal adults |
| Measures | Pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs) |
| Key findings | About one-third of 15 normal adults could spontaneously alter or obliterate their pattern-shift visual evoked potential through maneuvers such as meditation, daydreaming, and convergence, and several could shift apparent PSVEP latency. With explicit instruction, most subjects learned to alter the PSVEP using maneuvers that were not apparent even to an observant technician. |
Abstract
Fifteen normal adults had pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs) using monocular checkerboard pattern reversal. Subjects were instructed to concentrate on the pattern in the first set of trials and then to avoid perceiving it in the second set. Direct, continuous visual observation ensured that the eye remained open and fixed on the pattern. Nonetheless, a third of the subjects could spontaneously alter or obliterate the PSVEP using several maneuvers, including meditation, daydreaming, and convergence. Several could produce shifts in apparent PSVEP latency. With explicit instruction, most subjects could learn to alter their PSVEP by maneuvers that are inapparent even to an observent technician.