Vision Science Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA
Address for correspondence: Dr. Paul Gamlin, Vision Science Research Center, 658 Worrell Building, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294. Voice: 205-934-0322; fax: 205-934-5725.
pgamlin{at}uab.edu
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 956: 264-272 (2002).
Our recent studies in non-human primates have identified and
characterized cerebro-ponto-cerebellar pathways involved in
the control of vergence eye movements. Specifically, within
the deep cerebellar nuclei and nucleus reticularis tegmenti
pontis, we have identified neurons that are related to either
the near response (convergence and increased ocular accommodation)
or the far response (divergence and decreased ocular accommodation).
In addition, within the prearcuate region (area 8a), we have
characterized neurons related not only to either the far response
or the near response, but also to the sensorimotor transformations
underlying these eye movements. Because the vergence-related
prearcuate region abuts the frontal eye fields, we suggest that
the extent of the frontal eye fields be expanded to include
this region. We further suggest that with inclusion of this
vergence-related region, the frontal eye fields are important
for all voluntary eye movements.
