J Mov Disord.  2018 Sep;11(3):93-106. 10.14802/jmd.18018.

The Relationship between Saccades and Locomotion

Affiliations
  • 1Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
  • 2Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
  • 3Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. lunguci@ninds.nih.gov

Abstract

Human locomotion involves a complex interplay among multiple brain regions and depends on constant feedback from the visual system. We summarize here the current understanding of the relationship among fixations, saccades, and gait as observed in studies sampling eye movements during locomotion, through a review of the literature and a synthesis of the relevant knowledge on the topic. A significant overlap in locomotor and saccadic neural circuitry exists that may support this relationship. Several animal studies have identified potential integration nodes between these overlapping circuitries. Behavioral studies that explored the relationship of saccadic and gait-related impairments in normal conditions and in various disease states are also discussed. Eye movements and locomotion share many underlying neural circuits, and further studies can leverage this interplay for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Keyword

Gait; posture; saccade; fixation; locomotion; deep brain stimulationpe

MeSH Terms

Animals
Brain
Eye Movements
Gait
Humans
Locomotion*
Posture
Saccades*
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