Oculoparalytic illusion: visual-field dependent spatial mislocalizations by humans partially paralyzed with curare

Science. 1982 Apr 9;216(4542):198-201. doi: 10.1126/science.7063881.

Abstract

In darkness, observers partially paralyzed with curare make large (greater thn 20 degrees) gaze- and dosage-dependent errors in visually localizing eye-level-horizontal and median planes, in matching the location of a sound to a light, and in pointing at a light. In illuminated, structured visual localization and pointing are accurate but errors in auditory-to-visual matches remain. Defects in extraretinal eye position information are responsible for all errors. The influence of extraretinal eye position information on visual localization is suppressed by a structured visual field but is crucial both in darkness and for intersensory localization if visual capture is prevented.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Auditory Perception / physiology
  • Eye Movements* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Proprioception
  • Tubocurarine / pharmacology
  • Visual Fields
  • Visual Perception / drug effects
  • Visual Perception / physiology*

Substances

  • Tubocurarine