Eye Movements during Measurements of Visual Vertical in the Poststroke Subacute Phase

• DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0279-24.2024
• Publication Date: 2025-01-02T18:50:11Z
• Authors: Yasuaki Arima; Kae Nakamura; Kimihiko Mori; Shingo Hashimoto; Masanori Wakida; Hironori Ishii; Kimitaka Hase
• Keywords: Visual Search

The subjective visual vertical (VV), the visually estimated direction of gravity, is essential for assessing vestibular function and visuospatial cognition. In this study, we aimed to investigate mechanisms underlying altered VV perception in stroke participants with unilateral spatial neglect (USN), specifically by examining their eye movement patterns during judgment tasks. Participants USN demonstrated limited scanning along a rotating bar, often fixating on prominent ends, such as top or bottom. This suggests reflexive response salient areas, potentially interfering accurate perception. contrast, without showed broader around center bar. Notably, frontal lobe lesions occasionally exhibited extended that included bar’s center, which was associated judgments. These findings suggest (1) tendency fixate peripheral, areas (2) involvement disengaging redirecting attention may influence USN. Based these results, targeted rehabilitation strategies encourage individuals extend beyond endpoints include central could improve accuracy. study highlights specific behaviors contributing misperception, emphasizing importance training broadens effectively. Significance Statement While (VV) assessment requires judging bar's verticality, (USN) exhibit impaired However, remain unclear. Through analyses patterns, demonstrates shorter scan lengths bar focused gaze conspicuous parts among USN, disrupts integration processes. Further, show occasional improvements broad scans indicating lobe’s role disengagement updating verticality sensation. underscore significance understanding search effective rehabilitation.