Frontal eye fields + Pulvinar

Question 1

Frontal eye fields (FEF)

Answer 1

In the Frontal Cortex, applying electrical stimulation causes saccadic eye movement. Also contains the three celltypes, and are more imporant for voluntary control of eye movements

Question 2

Projections

Answer 2

FEF projects to SC which send it to the oculomotor network (ON) in the brainstem (controls eye movement)

More important for counter mending eye movements (in opposite direction)

Question 3

Indirect circuit

Answer 3

Indirect gating circuit arises from FEF and dorsolateral pfc, projecting to the basal ganglia (SN, STN and GP). Inhibiting or facilitating less/more eye movements.

Reason why in PD, patients’ eye movements are distorted

Question 4

Pulvinar

Answer 4

subcortical, close to thalamus. Important for switching of attention

Inactivating the pulvinar w muscimol = less efficient attention shifting

Stimulating the pulvinar w bicuculine = more efficient attention shifting