Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
10:43
Calcium Imaging in Mouse Superior Colliculus
Published on: April 21, 2023
Control of the superior colliculus by the lateral prefrontal cortex
Stefan Everling1, Kevin Johnston
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, , London, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
The lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) primarily excites, not inhibits, the oculomotor system. PFC damage causes errors due to failed task implementation, not failed suppression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Primate Studies
Background:
- Decades of research suggested the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) inhibits saccades via the oculomotor system.
- This inhibitory model is challenged by new findings on PFC-oculomotor interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional influence of the lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) on the oculomotor system.
- To re-evaluate the role of the PFC in controlling saccadic eye movements.
Main Methods:
- Combined deactivation of the PFC and neural recordings of the superior colliculus in monkeys.
- Analysis of saccade latencies and error patterns in relation to PFC function.
Main Results:
- The PFC exerts a primary excitatory influence on the oculomotor system, contradicting the inhibitory model.
- Erroneous saccades in PFC-impaired subjects are not solely reflexive or due to suppression failure.
- Saccade errors are linked to difficulties in maintaining and implementing task sets.
Conclusions:
- The established inhibitory model of PFC function in saccade control is inaccurate.
- PFC's role involves excitatory modulation and maintaining task-set implementation.
- Understanding PFC dysfunction requires considering failures in cognitive control beyond simple response suppression.
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