The temporal dynamics of vision for action and perception

The aim of the present thesis is to investigate the mechanisms of sensorimotor integration, and - in particular - the role of oscillations in action and perception. In the first study, we considered the contrast sensitivity dynamics during the execution of free saccades. We tested the hypothesis that a voluntary eye movement could trigger behavioral oscillations, with the aim to study in depth the properties of these perceptual rhythmicity. The second study investigated the effect of saccades on the pupillary response. We studied the perceptual and the pupillary dynamics at around the time of a saccade, looking for possible correlation between the perceptual response and the pupillary constriction. In the third study, we moved to analyze the effect of a simple hand action (button press) over contrast sensitivity, investigating also some possible modulatory effects of ambient luminance. Finally, in the fourth study (comprising three experiments), we enucleated the modulatory effects of ambient luminance via an electrophysiological and psychophysical investigation. A general conclusion will sum up the present findings shown here, suggesting possible future directions.