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Vestibular function in the temporal and parietal cortex: distinct velocity and inertial processing pathways.
1INSERM U846, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute, Lyon University Bron, France.
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience
|July 30, 2014
Summary
The primate cerebral cortex processes visual and vestibular information through two distinct pathways. One pathway, involving the middle superior temporal area (MST), aids in heading perception and eye-head coordination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Behavioral and neuroimaging studies suggest a cortical network for vestibular function in primates.
- This network involves the temporo-parietal and prefrontal cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of the cerebral cortex in visuo-vestibular integration.
- To explore the distinct functions of motion-sensitive temporo-occipital areas (MST) and the parietal cortex in vestibular processing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of behavioral and neuroimaging studies.
- Analysis of the integration of visual and vestibular information in cortical regions.
Main Results:
- Two distinct cortical vestibular sub-systems are proposed: a velocity pathway (including MST) for heading perception and eye/head coordination, and an inertial processing pathway (involving the parietal cortex) for multimodal integration and cognitive functions.
Conclusions:
- The middle superior temporal area (MST) and parietal cortex play distinct roles in visuo-vestibular integration.
- These pathways contribute to heading perception, eye/head coordination, and higher-order cognitive functions like self-referential processing.
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