Scott, Donald F.

A study is reported in which the cortical responses to monocular and binocular scanning of patterned stimuli, both simple and complex, were recorded. In particular, the computer-summated parieto-occipital potentials, time-locked to eye movement (the lambda response), were used. No over-all asymmetries appeared between the hemispheres, whether the scanning was monocular or binocular, although responses were in general of greater amplitude for binocular than for monocular scanning. However, there were individual and other differences which were thought to be related to complex parameters of the lambda response itself.

It has been demonstrated in man that mechanically induced shifts of the retinal image without change in total luminous flux evoke a parieto-occipital electrical response (lambda waves). The technique provides a simple method of quantifying responses in the visual system without complication by voluntary movements and their associated readiness potentials. The observation contradicts the view that lambda waves are directly concerned with mechanisms preventing blur during eye movement.