title: Gamma flicker triggers attentional selection without awareness.
abstract: Gamma band modulations in neural activity have been proposed to mediate attentional processes. To support a causal link between gamma activity and attentional selection, we attempt to evoke gamma oscillations by a 50-Hz subliminal flicker. We find that a subliminal 50-Hz flicker at a target location, before target presentation, speeds up and enhances target detection and discrimination. This effect is specific to the middle of the gamma range because it is not evident at <35-Hz flicker. It requires 300 ms to build up, dissipates within 250 ms of flicker offset, and shows a tendency to invert after 500 ms. The results are discussed in relation to a role for gamma band neural synchrony in the allocation of visual attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Leopoldstrasse 13, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80802 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: Samuel W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheadle
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parton
authors.forename: Hermann J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Usher
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D005425:Flicker Fusion; D006801:Humans; D014785:Vision, Ocular