A neural mechanism for microsaccade generation in the primate superior colliculus.

ABSTRACT: During fixation, the eyes are not still but often exhibit microsaccadic movements. The function of microsaccades is controversial, largely because the neural mechanisms responsible for their generation are unknown. Here, we show that the superior colliculus (SC), a retinotopically organized structure involved in voluntary-saccade target selection, plays a causal role in microsaccade generation. Neurons in the foveal portion of the SC increase their activity before and during microsaccades with sizes of only a few minutes of arc and exhibit selectivity for the direction and amplitude of these movements. Reversible inactivation of these neurons significantly reduces microsaccade rate without otherwise compromising fixation. These results, coupled with computational modeling of SC activity, d

SUBMITTER: Hafed ZM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2655118 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature