Distinct Control of Initiation and Metrics of Memory-Guided Saccades and Vergence by the FEF: A TMS Study
2011

Control of Memory-Guided Eye Movements by the Frontal Eye Field

Sample size: 12 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Yang Qing, Kapoula Zoi, Chapouthier Georges

Primary Institution: IRIS Group, UMR 8194, CNRS, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France

Hypothesis

This study explores the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the frontal eye field (FEF) on the control of memory-guided saccade-vergence eye movements.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the FEF is involved in the initiation of all types of memory-guided movements in 3D space.

Supporting Evidence

  • TMS of the FEF prolonged the latency of all types of eye movements.
  • The increase in latency varied from 21 to 56 ms, particularly strong for divergence movements.
  • TMS altered the accuracy of leftward saccades combined with convergence or divergence.

Takeaway

The brain area called the frontal eye field helps control how we move our eyes to remember where things are, and using a special technique called TMS can change how quickly we do that.

Methodology

Twelve healthy subjects performed memory-guided eye movements while TMS was applied to the FEF to assess its effects on latency and accuracy.

Limitations

The study only included healthy adults, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations.

Participant Demographics

12 healthy adults, 5 females and 7 males, aged 23 to 47 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020322

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