title: A novel integrative method for analyzing eye and hand behaviour during reaching and grasping in an MRI environment.
abstract: The development of noninvasive neuroimaging techniques, such as fMRI, has rapidly advanced our understanding of the neural systems underlying the integration of visual and motor information. However, the fMRI experimental design is restricted by several environmental elements, such as the presence of the magnetic field and the restricted view of the participant, making it difficult to monitor and measure behaviour. The present article describes a novel, specialized software package developed in our laboratory called Biometric Integration Recording and Analysis (BIRA). BIRA integrates video with kinematic data derived from the hand and eye, acquired using MRI-compatible equipment. The present article demonstrates the acquisition and analysis of eye and hand data using BIRA in a mock (0 Tesla) scanner. A method for collecting and integrating gaze and kinematic data in fMRI studies on visuomotor behaviour has several advantages: Specifically, it will allow for more sophisticated, behaviourally driven analyses and eliminate potential confounds of gaze or kinematic data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada. lawrencj@cc.umanitoba.ca
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Kamyar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abhari
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Prime
authors.forename: Benjamin P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: Loni
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Desanghere
authors.forename: Lee A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Baugh
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Marotta
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D053483:Eye Movement Measurements; D005133:Eye Movements; D006225:Hand; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012984:Software