Saccade and vestibular ocular motor adaptation.
OBJECTIVE
This paper focuses on motor learning within the saccadic and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) oculomotor systems, vital for our understanding how the brain keeps these subsystems calibrated in the presence of disease, trauma, and the changes that invariably accompany normal development and aging. We will concentrate on new information related to multiple time scales of saccade motor learning, adaptation of the VOR during high-velocity impulses, and the role of saccades in VOR adaptation. The role of the cerebellum in both systems is considered.


METHODS
Review of data involving saccade and VOR motor learning.


RESULTS
Data supports learning within the saccadic and VOR oculomotor systems is influenced by 1). Multiple time scales, with different rates of both learning and forgetting (seconds, minutes, hours, days, and months). In the case of forgetting, relearning on a similar task may be faster. 2). Pattern of training, learning and forgetting are not similarly achieved. Different contexts require different motor behaviors and rest periods between training sessions can be important for memory consolidation.


CONCLUSIONS
The central nervous system has the difficult task of determining where blame resides when motor performance is impaired (the credit assignment problem). Saccade and VOR motor learning takes place at multiple levels within the nervous system, from alterations in ion channel and membrane properties on single neurons, to more complex changes in neural circuit behavior and higher-level cognitive processes including prediction.
Schubert
Michael C
MC
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 601 N. Caroline St, JHOC Rm 6245, Baltimore, MD 21287-0910, USA. mschube1@jhmi.edu
Zee
David S
DS
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors