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Motion sensitivity of human V6: a magnetoencephalography study
Veronika von Pföstl1, Linda Stenbacka, Simo Vanni
1Brain Research Unit, Low Temperature Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 3000, 02015-TKK Espoo, Finland.
Neuroimage
|February 13, 2009
Summary
Human V6, a motion-sensitive visual area, is located in the parieto-occipital sulcus. This area shows early activation, suggesting a role in processing visual motion for guiding actions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Human Brain Imaging
Background:
- Recent research indicates a human homologue of monkey V6 in the parieto-occipital sulcus.
- Monkey V6 is known for retinotopic representation, peripheral visual field emphasis, and motion sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate motion sensitivity in the human parieto-occipital sulcus, specifically targeting the putative human V6 area.
- To differentiate V6 from adjacent visual areas using upper visual field stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to record brain activity in 10 subjects.
- Stimuli involved fixation and the appearance/drifting of a grating to assess motion perception.
- Upper visual field stimuli were employed to spatially isolate V6.
Main Results:
- The most significant sustained activation for visual motion was detected in the posterior bank of the dorsal parieto-occipital sulcus, corresponding to human V6.
- Responses in V6 exhibited early latency, comparable to V1, aligning with known monkey brain connections.
- A rapid sequence of activations followed V6, involving the precuneus, cingulate sulcus, temporo-occipital area, and intraparietal sulcus.
Conclusions:
- Human V6 is confirmed as a motion-sensitive visual area.
- The early and sequential activation pattern suggests V6 and connected regions are crucial for the online control of visually guided actions in humans.
