Behavioral and neurological visual responses under roll vection-inducing stimulation : potential predictors for motion sickness susceptibility

Abstract

Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a response commonly reported by viewers exposing to visual stimulation that can provoke self-motion perception (vection). The VIMS susceptibility (VIMSS) varies largely in the population and the neural mechanism for the variation is still unclear. Based on the sensory conflict theory, VIMSS depends on the ability to regulate visual response and coordinate self-motion information between visual and extra-visual modalities under vection-inducing stimulation. However, those hypotheses have not yet been systematically tested. To bridge current research gaps, we need to identify new behavioral and neurological covariates for both vection and VIMSS. In particular, we need indicators that: 1) are of higher time resolution; 2) can reflect the difference of central and peripheral vision; and 3) can reflect information coordination between visual and extra-visual modalities. This research comprises four studies to explore both behavioral task performances and electroencephalography (EEG) signatures that correlate with vection qualitatively (assess the existence of vection) and quantitatively (assess the magnitude of vection intensity). Study one discovered that under vection, the visual performance of sustained attention to response task (SART) is impaired in central vision and strengthened in peripheral vision to facilitate the processing of self-motion cues. Study two examined the temporal characteristics of transient visually evoked potentials (VEP) from central visual field under the same peripheral vection-inducing stimulation. Results suggest that earlier VEP components are more closely associated with vection perception than VEP components observed later (>350ms). Study three examined the more stable steady-state VEP with frequency tags at central and peripheral visual field to explore more reliable indicators along with the spatial properties of effects. Results revealed a shift of visual information processing emphasis from occipital to parietal under vection. Study four investigated the phase synchrony between visual and extra-visual regions. Results suggest the information coordination between parietal regions and other widely distributed regions are strengthened under vection-inducing stimulation. Furthermore, the magnitudes of those vection associated effects are negatively associated with the VIMSS of participants, hence, can serve as indicators to differentiate VIMS susceptible and resistant groups: the more people are resistant to VIMS, the stronger are the vection effects. In general, our findings support the sensory conflict theory from the perspective of individual differences. Identified behavioral and EEG signatures can contribute to not only the better understanding of VIMS, but also the development of new objective vection measures and VIMS predictors.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology