Research article summary (published 5 Sep 2008):

Spatial updating: how the brain keeps track of changing object locations during observer motion.

Full Abstract

As you move through an environment, the positions of surrounding objects relative to your body constantly change. Updating these locations is a central feature of situational awareness and readiness to act. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging and a virtual environment to test how the human brain uses optic flow to monitor changing object coordinates. Only activation profiles in the precuneus and the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) were indicative of an updating process operating on a memorized egocentric map of space. A subsequent eye movement study argued against the alternative explanation that activation in PMd could be driven by oculomotor signals. Finally, introducing a verbal response mode revealed a dissociation between the two regions, with the PMd only showing updating-related responses when participants responded by pointing. We conclude that visual spatial updating relies on the construction of updated representations in the precuneus and the context-dependent planning of motor actions in PMd.

Author information

Author/s: Wolbers, Thomas (T); Hegarty, Mary (M); Büchel, Christian (C); Loomis, Jack M (JM);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of California, UCen Road, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA. wolbers(-atsign-)psych.ucsb.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Nature neuroscience (Nat Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Oct; vol 11 (issue 10) : pp 1223-30

Dates: Created 2008/09/26; Completed 2008/11/06;

PMID: 18776895, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Analysis of Variance Attention Brain - blood supply; physiology Brain Mapping Field Dependence-Independence Fixation, Ocular - physiology Functional Laterality Humans

Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods Male Motion Perception - physiology Oxygen - blood Photic Stimulation - methods Psychophysics Reaction Time - physiology Space Perception

Associated Chemicals: Oxygen (7782-44-7)

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