Brain Uses Eyes to Pattern Movements


New research shows that the human brain processes movement by converting distances and information into co-ordinates in the eye. And understanding the eye’s co-ordinate mapping could be key to developing better functioning prosthetic limbs, scientists claim.

Dutch scientist Sabine Beurze used MRI scans to identify areas of the brain used by test subjects asked to locate a flashing light in an otherwise darkened room without using their hands to point. Beurze found that completing this task stimulated the brains vision centres in a way that suggests that the eyes are a calculating tool used by the brain to map movement.

The researcher also tasked participants with viewing their outstretched hands when positioned at an angle and claims that vision patterning behavior exhibited by the test subjects shows that even in instances where patients could not view their hands, the eyes were used to create a framework of reference and to correctly gauge the position of the hand.

It is hoped that understanding how the eye is used to co-ordinate movement could be used to help patients with amputated limbs to better control prosthetic limbs.

13th September 2010

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