Salience Level for Visual Attention
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
How does one know what to look at in a scene? Imagine a "Where's Waldo" game - it's challenging to find Waldo because there are many 'salient' locations in the picture, each vying for one's attention. One can only attend to a small location on the picture at a given moment, so to find Waldo, one needs to direct their attention to different locations. One prominent theory about how one accomplishes this claims that important locations are identified based on distinct feature types (for example, motion or color), with locations most unique compared to the background most likely to be attended. An important component of this theory is that individual feature dimensions (again, color or motion) are computed within their own 'feature maps', which are thought to be implemented in specific brain regions. However, whether and how specific brain regions contribute to these feature maps remains unknown. The goal of this study is to determine how brain regions that respond strongly to different feature types (color and motion) and which encode spatial locations of visual stimuli extract 'feature dimension maps' based on stimulus properties, including feature contrast. The investigators hypothesize that feature-selective brain regions act as neural feature dimension maps, and thus encode representations of salient location(s) based on their preferred feature dimension. The investigators will collect eye-tracking data while participants view visual stimuli made salient based on different combinations of feature dimensions. From the eye-tracking data, the investigators will construct fixation heat maps on the feature dimensions for all levels of salience, allowing them to connect behavioral data to the latter fMRI dataset. Each participant will freely view the stimuli as they appear on the computer display. Across trials, the investigators will manipulate 1) the 'strength' of the salient locations based on how different the salient stimulus is compared to the background, 2) the number of salient locations, and 3) the feature value(s) used to make each location salient. Altogether, these manipulations will help the investigators fully understand these critical salience computations in the healthy human visual system.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Feature Dimension Maps for visual attention?
How does the treatment for visual attention differ from other treatments?
This treatment is unique because it focuses on using salience maps in the brain to guide visual attention by identifying and prioritizing important visual features like color and motion. Unlike other treatments, it leverages the brain's natural ability to highlight and process the most relevant visual information, potentially offering a more targeted approach to improving visual attention.13678
Research Team
Tommy Sprague
Principal Investigator
University of California, Santa Barbara
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals aged 18 to 55 with normal or corrected-to-normal vision. It's designed to explore how people focus their attention on different parts of a visual scene, like finding Waldo in a busy picture.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Experimental Manipulation
Participants view stimuli with varying feature salience based on color, motion, or luminance contrast. Eye-tracking data is collected to analyze gaze positions.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any additional data collection or analysis post-experiment.
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Feature Dimension Maps
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, Santa Barbara
Lead Sponsor
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Collaborator