Visual Evoked Potentials as a Function of Flash Luminance and Duration

Abstract

Computer-averaged evoked potentials were recorded to visual stimuli of constant duration and varying luminance, as well as to flashes whose luminance and duration varied reciprocally. With constant duration, the latency, amplitude, and waveform of the evoked response varied as a function of luminance. The effects of decreasing the luminance on amplitude and waveform of the responses can be balanced by increasing the duration of the flash. This reciprocity between luminance and duration suggests a relationship between apparent brightness and evoked potentials.