Visuomotor integration in the cerebral cortex

灵长类动物大脑进化的主要趋势之一是用于视觉处理的皮层区域的巨大扩张。然而，个别区域的确切作用仍然存在很大争议，在合适的灵长类动物模型中进行详细的生理和解剖研究是阐明它们在人脑中功能的关键一步。在这个项目中，我们将讨论一组鲜为人知的视觉区域的组织，这是位于大脑深处的一部分，称为半球间裂（视觉区域的内侧复合体）。初步证据表明，这些区域可能提供连接视觉、行为反应和情感的解剖学捷径。例如，假设你坐在外面阅读。虽然你的注意力高度集中，但你仍然能够在你的周边视野中发现一个正在接近的物体的突然运动。在许多情况下，您可以做出反应（例如，通过躲避，或者举起你的手臂来保护你的脸）。肾上腺素激增通常伴随着这些快速的运动反应，这意味着自主神经系统的平行激活。虽然大脑促进这些快速反应的机制仍然知之甚少，但我们相信视觉区域的内侧复合体是关键。这项研究的目的是映射的解剖框架下，我们的能力，以应对突发刺激，在我们的周边视野。这项工作是理解大脑功能组织的基础。它还有可能为应用研究领域的发展奠定基础，包括医学（例如为脑损伤者设计更好的康复战略）和认知科学（例如更好地了解限制人类对视觉刺激反应的因素）。

One of the main trends in the evolution of the primate brain was the huge expansion of the cortical areas devoted to visual processing. However, the exact role of individual areas remains highly controversial, making detailed physiological and anatomical studies in suitable primate models a key step to elucidating their function in the human brain. In this project, we will address the organization of a poorly known group of visual areas, which is located deep in a part of the brain called the interhemispheric fissure (the medial complex of visual areas). Preliminary evidence suggests that these areas may provide anatomical shortcuts linking vision, behavioural reactions, and emotion. Suppose, for example, that you are sitting outside reading. Although deep in concentration, you are still able to detect the sudden movement of an approaching object in your peripheral field of vision. In many cases you can react (e.g., by ducking , or raising your arms to protect the face) long before you register what the object actually is. An adrenaline rush often accompanies these quick motor reactions, implying a parallel activation of the autonomic nervous system. While the mechanism by which the brain promotes these quick reactions remains poorly understood, we believe that the medial complex of visual areas holds the key. The aim of this study is to map the anatomical framework underlying our ability to react to sudden stimuli in our peripheral visual field. Such work is fundamental for understanding the functional organization of the brain. It also has the potential to lay the groundwork for developments in areas of applied research, including medicine (e.g. the design of better rehabilitation strategies for people with brain damage) and the cognitive sciences (e.g. a better understanding of the factors that limit human responses to visual stimuli).