Work

OKN and Pupillary Response Modulation by Gaze and Attention Shifts

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Pupil responses and optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) are known to vary with the brightness and direction of motion of attended stimuli, as well as gaze position. However, whether these processes are controlled by a common mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated how OKN latency relates to pupil response latency under two conditions: gaze shifts (eye movement) and attention shifts (covert attention without eye movement). As a result, while OKN showed consistent temporal changes across both gaze and attention conditions, pupillary responses exhibited distinct patterns. Moreover, the results revealed no significant correlation between pupil latency and OKN latency in either condition. These findings suggest that, although OKN and pupillary responses are influenced by similar attentional processes, their underlying mechanisms may differ.

Source: Journal of Eye Movement Research

DOI: 10.3390/jemr18020011

Authors: Kei Kanari, Moe Kikuchi

Institutions: Tohoku University, Utsunomiya University, Institute of Science Tokyo

Language: English

Topic: Visual perception and processing mechanisms

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,207

Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science