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Global motion perception is related to motor function in 4.5-year-old children born at risk of abnormal development
Arijit Chakraborty1, Nicola S Anstice2, Robert J Jacobs2
1School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Canada.
Insights
Global motion perception and stereoacuity are linked to motor function in preschoolers. This research explores the connection between visual processing and motor skills in children at risk for neurodevelopmental issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Global motion perception assesses dorsal visual stream function in neurodevelopmental research.
- The link between motion perception and visuomotor control, a dorsal stream function, is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between global motion perception and motor function in preschool children.
- To examine the relationship between visual acuity, stereoacuity, and motor skills in this population.
Main Methods:
- Assessed motion coherence threshold (MCT) for global motion perception in 606 children at risk for neurodevelopmental issues.
- Administered standardized motor function tests, visual acuity, stereoacuity, and verbal IQ assessments.
- Utilized statistical analyses to determine associations after controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- Motion coherence threshold (MCT) showed a significant association with most motor functions, excluding fine motor skills, after adjusting for verbal IQ or visual/stereoacuity.
- Stereoacuity, unlike visual acuity, was significantly linked to both gross and fine motor scores.
- These findings suggest a developmental link between visual perception and motor control.
Conclusions:
- Motion perception and stereoacuity development are associated with motor function in preschool-aged children.
- The dorsal visual stream's role in visuomotor control may be influenced by early visual processing abilities.
- These insights are crucial for understanding neurodevelopmental trajectories and potential interventions.
Abstract:
Global motion perception is often used as an index of dorsal visual stream function in neurodevelopmental studies. However, the relationship between global motion perception and visuomotor control, a primary function of the dorsal stream, is unclear. We measured global motion perception (motion coherence threshold; MCT) and performance on standardized measures of motor function in 606 4.5-year-old children born at risk of abnormal neurodevelopment. Visual acuity, stereoacuity and verbal IQ were also assessed. After adjustment for verbal IQ or both visual acuity and stereoacuity, MCT was modestly, but significantly, associated with all components of motor function with the exception of fine motor scores. In a separate analysis, stereoacuity, but not visual acuity, was significantly associated with both gross and fine motor scores. These results indicate that the development of motion perception and stereoacuity are associated with motor function in pre-school children.
