Effects of bisensory stimulation on reaction time and the evoked cortical potential

Abstract

Reaction times and evoked cortical potentials to visual and auditory stimuli alone and to the two in combination (bisensory stimulation) were studied. It was found that bisensory stimulation resulted in significantly faster reaction times than those obtained with visual or auditory stimulation alone. Auditory reaction times were faster than visual. The amplitudes of evoked potentials were significantly higher at both recording sites (O2 and Cz) under conditions of bisensory as compared to unisensory stimulation. Evoked potential latencies were in the expected direction, i.e., all conditions using auditory stimulation resulted in shorter latencies than the visual stimulation alone condition. It was concluded that evidence for sensory interaction (facilitative) had been obtained in this experiment and that the amplitude increases with bisensory stimulation were reflected in faster reaction times. A definitive statement regarding the central nervous system locus of this sensory interaction is not yet possible. © 1975, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.