PLoS ONE (Jan 2015)

Enhancing sensorimotor activity by controlling virtual objects with gaze.

  • Cristián Modroño,
  • Julio Plata-Bello,
  • Fernando Zelaya,
  • Sofía García,
  • Iván Galván,
  • Francisco Marcano,
  • Gorka Navarrete,
  • Óscar Casanova,
  • Manuel Mas,
  • José Luis González-Mora

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0121562
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 3
p. e0121562

Abstract

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This fMRI work studies brain activity of healthy volunteers who manipulated a virtual object in the context of a digital game by applying two different control methods: using their right hand or using their gaze. The results show extended activations in sensorimotor areas, not only when participants played in the traditional way (using their hand) but also when they used their gaze to control the virtual object. Furthermore, with the exception of the primary motor cortex, regional motor activity was similar regardless of what the effector was: the arm or the eye. These results have a potential application in the field of the neurorehabilitation as a new approach to generate activation of the sensorimotor system to support the recovery of the motor functions.