Cite as:
Bremmer F, 2006, "Neural basis of spatial encoding during eye movements" Perception 35 ECVP Abstract Supplement

Neural basis of spatial encoding during eye movements

F Bremmer

Eye movements challenge the brain. While the image of external objects moves across the retina, we perceive the outer world as being stable. Yet, this perceptual stability is not complete. Numerous studies have recently shown that spatial perception is modulated during smooth tracking and during saccadic eye movements. The location of visual stimuli briefly flashed during smooth-pursuit eye movements is shifted in the direction of the pursuit. Mislocalisation during saccades depends on the exact experimental conditions. If saccades are performed in total darkness, all perceived locations are shifted in the direction of the saccade (shift). In ambient light conditions, all perceived locations are shifted towards the endpoint of the saccade (compression). In a recent psychophysical study we could show that spatial mislocalisations are observed also during reflexive optokinetic eye movements. Perceived locations are shifted in the direction of the slow eye movements. Yet, this shift is modulated during the saccade-like resetting phases. I briefly review the findings of our psychophysical study on reflexive eye movements in humans. Then I present neurophysiological data from recordings in posterior parietal cortex of monkeys that relate to the above-described psychophysical findings.
[Supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP).]

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