Functional imaging of the intraparietal cortex during saccades to visual and memorized targets

Abstract

The representation of perceived space and intended actions in the primate parietal cortex has been the subject of considerable debate. To address this issue, we used the quantitative 14C-deoxyglucose method to obtain maps of the activity pattern in the intraparietal cortex of rhesus monkeys executing saccades to visual and memorized targets. The principal effect induced by memory-guided saccades was found more caudally in the deepest part of the middle third of the lateral bank (within area LIPv) whereas that induced by visually guided saccades extended more rostrally and superficially in the anterior third of the bank (within area LIPd). The memory-saccade-related and the visual-saccade-related regions of activation overlapped only within area LIPv. Besides saccade execution, maximal activity in area LIPd required a visual stimulus. The region activated by visual fixation was located at the border of LIPv and LIPd, extending mainly within area LIPd, and occupying about one third of the neural space of the region activated for visual-saccades. We suggest that the lateral intraparietal cortex represents visual and motor space in segregated, albeit partially overlapping, regions.