STUDIES OF VISUAL PROCESSING & SMOOTH EYE MOVEMENTS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Our studies are directed at defining the neural substrate for visual processing related to smooth pursuit eye movements and gaze-holding. We are working to define the relationship between early visual experience and development of eye movement systems, eye alignment and gaze holding. The visual and oculomotor systems are not mature at birth. If early visual experience is compromised by injury or congenital defect, eye movement disorders can follow that can compromise clear vision. We have recently demonstrated for the first time that neurons in MST cortex have appropriate response properties to play a role in disparity vergence. We are now attempting studies that target the critical period in development of eye alignment, stereopsis and vergence. We have also conducted studies that demonstrate differences in visual latency for active and passive visual motion. These findings suggest that during active scanning of a visual scene that visual latencies are reduced, perhaps facilitating vision during saccades.