Color vision but not visual attention Is altered in migraine

Shepherd, Alex J. (2006) Color vision but not visual attention Is altered in migraine. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 46 (4), pp. 611-621. ISSN 0017-8748.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00411.x

Abstract

Objective.—To examine visual search performance in migraine and headache‐free control groups and to determine whether reports of selective color vision deficits in migraine occur preattentively. Background.—Visual search is a classic technique to measure certain components of visual attention. The technique can be manipulated to measure both preattentive (automatic) and attentive processes. Here, visual search for colored targets was employed to extend earlier reports that the detection or discrimination of colors selective for the short‐wavelength sensitive cone photoreceptors in the retina (S or “blue” cones) is impaired in migraine. Method.—Visual search performance for small and large color differences was measured in 34 migraine and 34 control participants. Small and large color differences were included to assess attentive and preattentive processing, respectively. In separate conditions, colored stimuli were chosen that would be detected selectively by either the S‐, or by the long‐ (L or “red”) and middle (M or “green”)‐wavelength sensitive cone photoreceptors. Results.—The results showed no preattentive differences between the migraine and control groups. For active, or attentive, search, differences between the migraine and control groups occurred for colors detected by the S‐cones only, there were no differences for colors detected by the L‐ and M‐cones. The migraine group responded significantly more slowly than the control group for the S‐cone colors. Conclusions.—The pattern of results indicates that there are no overall differences in search performance between migraine and control groups. The differences found for the S‐cone colors are attributed to impaired discrimination of these colors in migraine and not to differences in attention.

Metadata

Item Type:	Article
School:	Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science > School of Psychological Sciences
Depositing User:	Sarah Hall
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2020 15:50
Last Modified:	02 Aug 2023 17:57
URI:	https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/30980

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