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. During the last year we have made significant progress demonstrating that visual motion processing is enhanced during active saccadic behavior. In our developmental studies, we have demonstrated that at least some smooth pursuit neurons in area MST of strabismic subjects respond preferentially for only one eye. This pathological condition may be related to the nasalward bias in smooth pursuit in strabismic subjects. Our current studies are examining the degree of plasticity in the cortical smooth pursuit system during development.