Microsaccades as an objective index to visual orienting and selection

我们先前的工作表明，微扫视(MS)显示了关于注意力转移的方向和时间以及持续注意力的位置的准确信息。最近对非人类灵长类动物的研究表明，微扫视反映了由解剖分布的大脑区域(上丘、额眼区域、外侧顶内区)组成的功能整合网络中所谓的视觉选择神经元的活动。这个“选择地图”网络被认为整合了视觉定向和选择的几个方面，包括自上而下的注意力、自下而上的突显和扫视准备。现在，我们提出了一系列进一步的人体实验，以利用微眼跳掩盖定位和选择的这些不同方面的事实。具体地说，我们将把我们在双任务心理物理学方面的无与伦比的专业知识与微眼跳观察和计算建模相结合，以前所未有的详细描述自上而下的注意、自下而上的突显和扫视准备之间的相互作用。拟议项目的具体目标如下：(I)通过自上而下的视觉注意、自下而上的视觉突显和扫视规划来量化MS统计的调制。(Ii)检验不同定向过程竞争“有限资源”的假设[Sperling&Dosher，1986；Lavie，2005]。微软的统计数据反映了它的参与度。(Iii)确定自上而下和自下而上的选择是否以类似的方式调制多发性硬化症统计数据，正如视觉注意的“显著图”理论所预测的那样[Koch&Ullman，1985；Itti&Koch，2000]。(Iv)检验视觉表现“在注意力焦点之外”的假设[Braun，1998；Braun&Julesz，1998；Lee等人，1999；Braun等人，2001](V)澄清注意力和辨别表现(‘意识’)之间有很大争议的关系[Lamme et al.，2003；Koch&Tuchiya，2007；Dehaene等人，2006]。(Vi)以与非人类灵长类动物数据一致的方式进行模型“选择图”活动(数据来自Hafed博士，Tübingen)。根据模型活动中的随机波动预测MS统计数据。

Our prior work has shown that microsaccades (MS) reveal precise information both about the direction and timing of attention shifts and about the location of continuously sustained attention. Recent work with non-human primates suggests that microsaccades reflect the activity of so-called visual selection neurons in a functionally integrated network of anatomically distributed brain areas (superior colliculus, frontal eye fields, lateral intraparietal area). This 'selection map' network is thought to integrate several aspects of visual orienting and selection, including top-down attention, bottom-up saliency, and saccade preparation. We now propose a series of further human experiments to exploit the fact that microsaccades shadow these different aspects of orienting and selection. Specifically, we will combine our unmatched expertise in dual-task psychophysics with microsaccade observations and with computational modeling in order to characterize the interaction of top-down attention, bottom-up saliency, and saccade preparation in unprecedented detail.The particular objectives of the proposed project are as follows:(i) Quantify the modulation of MS statistics by top-down visual attention, bottom-up visual saliency, and saccade planning. (ii) Test the hypothesis that different orienting processes compete for a "limited resource" [Sperling & Dosher, 1986; Lavie, 2005]. the engagement of which is mirrored by MS statistics. (iii) Establish whether top-down and bottom-up selection modulate MS statistics in a comparable manner, as predicted by "saliency map" theories of visual attention [Koch & Ullman, 1985; Itti & Koch, 2000].(iv) Test the hypothesis that visual performance "outside the focus of attention" [Braun, 1998; Braun & Julesz, 1998; Lee et al., 1999; Braun et al., 2001] is associated with saliency-based modulations of MS statistics(v) Clarify the much disputed relation between attention and discrimination performance ('awareness') [Lamme et al., 2003; Koch & Tsuchiya, 2007; Dehaene et al., 2006].(vi) Model 'selection map' activity in a manner consistent with data from non-human primates (data from Dr. Hafed, Tübingen). Predict MS statistics from stochastic fluctuations in the model activity.