Eye Movements: a Window on Sensory and Motor Deficits

Abstract

Eye movements can be used as a tool for investigating neural mechanisms of both sensory and motor deficits. Not only does the oculomotor system comprise the entire transformation from sensory input to the generation of movement, also its accessibility, its ability to learn and remember, and the exhibition of both voluntary and reflexive behavior, make the oculomotor system a good diagnostic aid in understanding sensory-motor pathologies. Furthermore, recording eye movements generates data that are suitable for quantative analysis. Eye movement behavior can be investigated in different ways. Obviously, movement control can be analysed by looking at factors such as the timing, metrics and dynamics of the movement. A more general high-level view is provided when the planning of the movement is examined. Likewise, testing reflexive behavior in response to sensory stimuli can offer information about how the sensory information is being processed. Therefore, looking at eye movement behavior gives insight into various aspects of the human mind. In this thesis we study visual search behavior in subjects with Williams-Beuren syndrome and we analyse ocular reflexive behavior in both whiplash injury patients and healthy controls.