Is saccadic adaptation context-specific?

Abstract

An analysis is given of the capability of saccadic gain control to adapt specifically to various context variables such as the orbital starting position of the saccade, the form and color of the saccade target, the presence or absence of a background structure, and the distinction between intentional and stimulus-elicited saccade generation. The data demonstrate that there is no fast position-specific learning, and that visual stimulus features do not trigger the use of specific parameter sets. Intentionally generated and visually triggered saccades, however, can be adapted specifically, suggesting the existence of separate pathways and adaptive control mechanisms for both types of saccades. © 1995, Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.