Cited by 294Neural and Behavioral Psychology StudiesMotor Control and AdaptationVisual perception and processing mechanisms

On the development of voluntary and reflexive components in human saccade generation

Fischer, Burkhart, Biscaldi, Monica, Gezeck, Stefan·1997·Brain Research

Abstract

The saccadic performance of a large number (n = 281) of subjects of different ages (8-70 years) was studied applying two saccade tasks: the prosaccade overlap (PO) task and the antisaccade gap (AG) task. From the PO task, the mean reaction times and the percentage of express saccades were determined for each subject. From the AG task, the mean reaction time of the correct antisaccades and of the erratic prosaccades were measured. In addition, we determined the error rate and the mean correction time, i.e. the time between the end of the first erratic prosaccade and the following corrective antisaccade. These variables were measured separately for stimuli presented (in random order) at the right or left side. While strong correlations were seen between variables for the right and left sides, considerable side asymmetries were obtained from many subjects. A factor analysis revealed that the seven variables (six eye movement variables plus age) were mainly determined by only two factors, V and F. The V factor was dominated by the variables from the AG task (reaction time, correction time, error rate) the F factor by variables from the PO task (reaction time, percentage express saccades) and the reaction time of the errors (prosaccades!) from the AG task. The relationship between the percentage number of express saccades and the percentage number of errors was completely asymmetric: high numbers of express saccades were accompanied by high numbers of errors but not vice versa. Only the variables in the V factor covaried with age. A fast decrease of the antisaccade reaction time (by 50 ms), of the correction times (by 70 ms) and of the error rate (from 60 to 22%) was observed between age 9 and 15 years, followed by a further period of slower decrease until age 25 years. The mean time a subject needed to reach the side opposite to the stimulus as required by the antisaccade task decreased from approximately 350 to 250 ms until age 15 years and decreased further by 20 ms before it increased again to approximately 280 ms. At higher ages, there was a slight indication for a return development. Subjects with high error rates had long antisaccade latencies and needed a long time to reach the opposite side on error trials. The variables obtained from the PO task varied also significantly with age but by smaller amounts. The results are discussed in relation to the subsystems controlling saccade generation: a voluntary and a reflex component the latter being suppressed by active fixation. Both systems seem to develop differentially. The data offer a detailed baseline for clinical studies using the pro- and antisaccade tasks as an indication of functional impairments, circumscribed brain lesions, neurological and psychiatric diseases and cognitive deficits.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0006-8993(97)00094-2

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Authors
Fischer, B., Biscaldi, M., & Gezeck, S.
Affiliations
University of Freiburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Fischer, Burkhart
Venue
Brain Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1997-04
Volume
754
Issue
1-2
Pages
285-297
ISSN
0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2159869501
Cited by
294
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 11
FWCI
5.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • FreiDok plus (Universitätsbibliothek Freiburg) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Motor Control and Adaptation
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Keywords
saccade generation, express saccades, age-related development, side-to-side asymmetry, saccade latency, oculomotor control
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aging, Attention, Child, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Functional Laterality, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Oculomotor Muscles, Photic Stimulation, Reaction Time, Reference Values, Reflex, Saccades, Muscle Development

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