Suppression wave dynamics: Visual field anisotropies and inducer strength

Abstract

We used binocular rivalry and generalized flash suppression to identify several new shared properties of traveling suppression waves. A strong relationship was found between suppression wave speed and induction pulse strength: increasing the contrast or dot density of the induction pulse led to an increase in wave speed. Evidence of visual field anisotropies in wave propagation speeds were also seen, with suppression waves decelerating as they travel towards the fovea. This deceleration could not be accounted for by cortical magnification in lower level brain areas, suggesting an important role for other, yet to be identified, factors. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd.