Abstract
In the sound-induced flash illusion, auditory input affects the perception of visual stimuli with a large inter- and intraindividual variability. Crossmodal influence in this illusion has been shown to be associated with activity in visual and temporal areas. In this electroencephalography study, we investigated the relationship between oscillatory brain activity prior to stimulus presentation and subsequent perception of the illusion on the level of single trials. Using logistic regression, we modeled the perceptual outcome dependent on oscillatory power. We found that 25 Hz to 41 Hz activity over occipital electrodes from 0.17 s to 0.05 s prior to stimulus onset predicted the perception of the illusion. A t-test of power values, averaged over the significant cluster, between illusion and no-illusion trials showed higher power in illusion trials, corroborating the modeling result. We conclude that the observed power modulation predisposes the integration of audiovisual signals, providing further evidence for the governing role of prestimulus brain oscillations in multisensory perception.
Highlights
In order to successfully navigate our environment, it is vitally important to integrate information from various sensory sources
When quantifying the relationship between single-trial EEG power in the prestimulus time window and behavioral outcome, we found a significant cluster of regression weights over occipital electrodes between 25 and 41 Hz, i.e. the high beta to low gamma band, from 0.17 s to 0.05 s before stimulus onset (p = 0.006, Fig. 2a,b)
We investigated the relationship between single-trial prestimulus oscillatory brain activity and audiovisual crossmodal influence in the sound-induced flash illusion using a logistic regression model
Summary
In order to successfully navigate our environment, it is vitally important to integrate information from various sensory sources. With regard to the neuroanatomical substrates of crossmodal influence in the SIFI, activity in occipital and temporal areas has been shown to be associated with illusory flash perception: Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have established that the activity level in V1 reflects the number of flashes subjectively perceived, with increased activity for perceived flashes and decreased activity for perceptual fusion, i.e. perception of one flash following presentation of two flashes and one sound[5,6]. In a visuotactile flash illusion paradigm, Lange et al.[19] have found that decreased alpha band power in occipital areas and increased gamma band power in occipitoparietal and right temporal areas precede illusory flashes These studies provide the primary research background for the current study. We explored a possible relationship between prestimulus activity and early evoked potentials by correlating prestimulus oscillatory power differences with previously demonstrated ERP amplitude differences[10,22]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
