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Can a visual representation support the online control of memory-dependent reaching? Evident from a variable spatial
Matthew Heath1, David A Westwood
1Department of Kinesiology and Program of Neural Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
Motor Control
|March 5, 2004
Summary
A stored visual target representation aids online reaching control, even with brief memory delays. Longer delays (2-5s) reduce accuracy but show the motor system still accesses memory for reaching adjustments.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Understanding how the brain stores and utilizes visual information for movement is crucial.
- Distinguishing between movement planning and online control mechanisms is key to understanding motor learning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a stored visual target representation supports online reaching movement control.
- To differentiate the roles of memory in movement planning versus real-time motor adjustments.
Main Methods:
- A novel reaching task with a randomly varied visuomotor mapping required online control.
- Participants reached for targets under full vision and memory conditions with 0, 2, and 5-second delays.
Main Results:
- No significant error accumulation occurred with a 0-second delay, indicating stored target representations support immediate online control.
- Reaching accuracy decreased and variability increased with 2 and 5-second delays.
- Residual accuracy in longer delay trials suggests continued access to stored target information.
Conclusions:
- A stored visual target representation can be used for online reaching control with minimal delay.
- The motor system retains access to visual target memory for online adjustments for at least 5 seconds, albeit with reduced precision.