Programming of double-step saccade sequences: modulation by cognitive control

Vision Res. 2004 Oct;44(23):2707-18. doi: 10.1016/j.visres.2004.05.029.

Abstract

The capacity to detect and correct errors is thought to engage cognitive control. To probe the nature of such control in relation to eye movements, subjects performed a double-step task under different instructions: to FOLLOW the appearance of successive targets; or to cancel the initial saccade and REDIRECT gaze to the final target location. Saccade sequences occurred in the FOLLOW and REDIRECT conditions where they represented correct and corrective behaviour, respectively. We observed that corrective responses were faster than correct responses, and concurrent preparation of saccades was facilitated during error correction. These results are consistent with psychological theories that posit supervisory cognitive control over action during error correction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Feedback / physiology
  • Humans
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Saccades / physiology*