title: Spatial-frequency discrimination of drifting gratings.
abstract: Spatial-frequency discrimination thresholds were measured for briefly (300 msec) presented sinewave gratings having a contrast one logarithmic unit above detection threshold. The gratings were drifted at rates varying from 1.1 to 40 Hz. In a two-interval forced-choice paradigm thresholds were determined for vertically and obliquely oriented gratings. Three reference spatial frequencies (1, 4, 12 c/deg) were tested. For the 1 c/deg reference spatial frequency, spatial-frequency discrimination thresholds were constant over the wide range of drift rates used. For 4 and 12 c/deg reference gratings, discrimination thresholds were constant for drift frequencies up to 14 Hz. For drift frequencies beyond 14 Hz, spatial-frequency discrimination thresholds increased abruptly, rising from approx. 6% at 14 Hz to 25% at 40 Hz drift rate. Measurements with obliquely oriented gratings yielded comparable results. The increase in the spatial-frequency discrimination threshold for medium-high spatial frequencies and high temporal frequencies might reflect an increase in the spatial frequency bandwidth of the mechanisms sensitive to these stimulus frequencies.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Universitätsklinik, Abt. Neurophysiologie, Freiburg, F.R.G.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Greenlee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerling
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waltenspiel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009039:Motion Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D012399:Rotation; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors