Enhancing sensorimotor activity by controlling virtual objects with gaze

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 23;10(3):e0121562. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121562. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

This fMRI work studies brain activity of healthy volunteers who manipulated a virtual object in the context of a digital game by applying two different control methods: using their right hand or using their gaze. The results show extended activations in sensorimotor areas, not only when participants played in the traditional way (using their hand) but also when they used their gaze to control the virtual object. Furthermore, with the exception of the primary motor cortex, regional motor activity was similar regardless of what the effector was: the arm or the eye. These results have a potential application in the field of the neurorehabilitation as a new approach to generate activation of the sensorimotor system to support the recovery of the motor functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Behavior / physiology
  • Extremities / physiology
  • Eye Movements / physiology*
  • Female
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sensorimotor Cortex / physiology*
  • User-Computer Interface*

Grants and funding

Financial support was provided by the following national competitive programs: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [PTA2011-4995-I, TIN2011-28146]; Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio [TSI-020100-2011-189, TSI-020100-2010-346]; Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad [IPT-2012-0961-300000]. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.