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[Cortical control of saccades].
1Centre de Diagnostic Neurologique et Unité INSERM 289, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris.
Revue Neurologique
|January 1, 1989
Summary
The frontal eye fields (FEF) and superior colliculus (SC) control visually guided saccades via parallel pathways. Inhibitory pathways, involving omnipause neurons and substantia nigra, also regulate saccades, with frontal lobe influence suggested.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Motor Control
Context:
- Visually guided saccades are crucial for visual perception and interaction.
- Understanding the neural control of saccades is vital for diagnosing and treating neurological disorders affecting eye movements.
Purpose:
- To review the cortical control of visually guided saccades.
- To elucidate the roles of the frontal eye fields (FEF) and superior colliculus (SC) in saccade generation.
- To explore the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory pathways in saccade control.
Summary:
- Two primary structures, the FEF and SC, initiate saccades through parallel excitatory pathways.
- The colliculo-reticular pathway is key for reflexive saccades, potentially modulated by the intraparietal sulcus.
- Inhibitory pathways, including omnipause neurons and substantia nigra, prevent unwanted saccades, with evidence suggesting frontal lobe involvement in this inhibition.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of saccade control mechanisms.
- Highlights the functional redundancy and interaction between different neural structures.
- Offers insights into the neural basis of saccade disorders and potential therapeutic targets.