Spatial updating in human parietal cortex

Neuron. 2003 Jul 17;39(2):361-73. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(03)00393-3.

Abstract

Single neurons in monkey parietal cortex update visual information in conjunction with eye movements. This remapping of stimulus representations is thought to contribute to spatial constancy. We hypothesized that a similar process occurs in human parietal cortex and that we could visualize it with functional MRI. We scanned subjects during a task that involved remapping of visual signals across hemifields. We observed an initial response in the hemisphere contralateral to the visual stimulus, followed by a remapped response in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the stimulus. We ruled out the possibility that this remapped response resulted from either eye movements or visual stimuli alone. Our results demonstrate that updating of visual information occurs in human parietal cortex.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping
  • Eye Movements / physiology
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Parietal Lobe / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Saccades
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Visual Fields