Short-term adaptation in disparity vergence eye-movements

The high-velocity initial component of disparity vergence eye movements is modified by stimuli that generate large transient disparities. Modification was observed in all three subjects studied. After modification, the peak velocities were substantially higher than in normal baseline responses. The temporal distribution of the peak velocities for a step stimulus as a function of number of trial revealed the existence of a very rapid adaptive process in the vergence system. Plots of main sequence, however, showed that the first-order dynamic characteristics of all initial components were the same for both pre- and post adaptive responses. A process of recovery or de-adaptation was also observed.