The dynamics of microsaccade amplitude reflect shifting of covert attention

Xinyu Lv; Suping Cheng; Zhiguo Wang; Jianrong Jia

doi:10.1016/j.concog.2022.103322

The dynamics of microsaccade amplitude reflect shifting of covert attention

Conscious Cogn. 2022 May:101:103322. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103322. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Authors

Xinyu Lv¹, Suping Cheng², Zhiguo Wang³, Jianrong Jia⁴

Affiliations

¹ Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China; Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
² Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China.
³ Center for Psychological Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: zhiguo@zju.edu.cn.
⁴ Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, The Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, Zhejiang, China. Electronic address: jianrongjia@hznu.edu.cn.

PMID: 35395549
DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2022.103322

Abstract

Attention flexibly shifts between spatial locations to accommodate task demands. The present study examined if the dynamics of attentional shifting are seen in microsaccades whose direction has been shown to accompany the shifts of covert attention. In a spatial cueing task, the cue predicted the target location on 100%, 75%, or 50% of the trials. The results revealed that microsaccade rate and amplitude were both reduced following cue onset and then rebounded. Both microsaccade rate and amplitude were biased towards the opposite direction of the cue and then returned to the cued direction. Importantly, the cue validity modulated the temporal profile of microsaccade amplitude but had little impact on the temporal profile of microsaccade rate. In line with this, the cueing effect measured with target response accuracy was correlated with the microsaccade amplitude only. These results indicate that the temporal dynamics of microsaccade amplitude reflect shifting of covert attention.

Keywords: Attentional shifting; Microsaccade amplitude; Microsaccade rate; Spatial attention.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Attention / physiology
Cues
Humans
Photic Stimulation / methods
Reaction Time
Saccades*
Visual Perception* / physiology