Functional organisation of saccades and antisaccades in the frontal lobe in humans: a study with echo planar functional magnetic resonance imaging
- aDepartment of Neurology, bDepartment of Neuroradiology, cDepartment of MR-Methodology and Spectroscopy, University of Bern, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Dr René M Müri, Department of Neurology, University of Bern, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland. Telephone 0041 632 21 11; fax 0041 632 96 79; email muerir{at}insel.ch
- Received 22 August 1997
- Revised 18 December 1997
- Accepted 5 February 1998
Abstract
The cortical activation pattern of saccades and antisaccades (versus rest) in the frontal lobe was analysed using an echo planar imaging (EPI) technique in 10 healthy subjects. Statistical analysis of activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex disclosed a significantly greater activation during antisaccades in this region than during saccades. On the other hand, activity in the frontal eye fields was not statistically different in both tasks. These results confirm the important role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for the correct performance of antisaccades obtained by studies in humans with isolated lesions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
- eye movements
- frontal eye field
- dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
- functional magnetic resonance imaging
