The influence of hyperventilation on the fusion frequency of intermittent visual stimuli¹

Abstract

(\Vltli B flgnres in the tart.)As is well known, certain people react to excessive breathing with tetanic convulsions, and De'Binis (1932) as well as Brody and Dusser de Barenne (1932) have shown that the cortical excitability to faradic currents actually does rise during hyperventilation. The latter workers also found it to drop afterwards below the original value. Now, the retina is an easily accessible nervous centre which might be used for studying changes in excitability due to hyperventiliation, and recently it has been found that the fusion frequency of intermittent visual stimuli may yield important inforemation about the excitatory process in this organ (Granit and H a r p e r , 1930). Work with the optic nerve has made it clear that a Yise in the fusion frequency only can be localized to the retina itself (Adrian and Matthews, 1928; Granit and Therman, 1935) and not to the higher centres. This follows directly from the fact that, at rates of stimulation necessary for fusion, the rhythmic discharge in the nerve is changed into a continuous stream of impulses thereby excluding the higher centres' from perceiving flickering volleys of impulses at a higher rate than the one set by the retina.In this work we have measured the fusion frequency of a flickering light before, during, and after hyperventilation. Certain definite results have been obtained and we have tried to analyze them by introducing variables as area, intensity, and state of adaptation. Method.The technique used has been described in detail by Granit and H a r p e r (1930). Suffice it to mention that intermittent stimuli have been

The Use of the Flicker Phenomenon in the Investigation of the Field of Vision

“…5B) (Fig. 5), time of year and pulmonary ventilation (20). Variations between quadrants in any one eye (Fig.…”

The Use of the Flicker Phenomenon in the Investigation of the Field of Vision

“…5B) (Fig. 5), time of year and pulmonary ventilation (20). Variations between quadrants in any one eye (Fig.…”

Quantitative Correlation of Hyperventilation with Flicker Sensitivity

“…3 Rubinstein and Thurman reported the effect of voluntary hyperventilation to increase the frequency at which an intermittent visual stimulus is perceived to flicker. 4,5 Subsequent studies support an increase in critical flicker frequency (CFF) during hyperventilation. [6][7][8][9] Granger and Ikeda undertook the most extensive study of this phenomenon to date, examining flicker sensitivity as a function of stimulus size and intensity (controlled retinal illumi-nation) during 30 s of hyperventilation.…”

The Use of the Flicker Phenomenon in the Investigation of the Field of Vision

“…5B) (Fig. 5), time of year and pulmonary ventilation (20). Variations between quadrants in any one eye (Fig.…”

Quantitative Correlation of Hyperventilation with Flicker Sensitivity

“…3 Rubinstein and Thurman reported the effect of voluntary hyperventilation to increase the frequency at which an intermittent visual stimulus is perceived to flicker. 4,5 Subsequent studies support an increase in critical flicker frequency (CFF) during hyperventilation. [6][7][8][9] Granger and Ikeda undertook the most extensive study of this phenomenon to date, examining flicker sensitivity as a function of stimulus size and intensity (controlled retinal illumi-nation) during 30 s of hyperventilation.…”

The Use of the Flicker Phenomenon in the Investigation of the Field of Vision

“…5B) (Fig. 5), time of year and pulmonary ventilation (20). Variations between quadrants in any one eye (Fig.…”

Quantitative Correlation of Hyperventilation with Flicker Sensitivity

“…3 Rubinstein and Thurman reported the effect of voluntary hyperventilation to increase the frequency at which an intermittent visual stimulus is perceived to flicker. 4,5 Subsequent studies support an increase in critical flicker frequency (CFF) during hyperventilation. [6][7][8][9] Granger and Ikeda undertook the most extensive study of this phenomenon to date, examining flicker sensitivity as a function of stimulus size and intensity (controlled retinal illumi-nation) during 30 s of hyperventilation.…”