Saccade-related information in the superior temporal motion complex: quantitative functional mapping in the monkey

Although the role of the motion complex [cortical areas middle temporal (V5/MT), medial superior temporal (MST), and fundus of the superior temporal (FST)] in visual motion and smooth-pursuit eye movements is well understood, little is known about its involvement in rapid eye movements (saccades). To address this issue, we used the quantitative 14C-deoxyglucose method to obtain functional maps of the cerebral cortex lying in the superior temporal sulcus of rhesus monkeys executing saccades to visual targets and saccades to memorized targets in complete darkness. Fixational effects were observed in MT-foveal, FST, the anterior part of V4-transitional (V4t), and temporal-occipital areas. Saccades to memorized targets activated areas V5/MT, MST, and V4t, which were also activated for saccades to visual targets. Regions activated in the light and in the dark overlapped extensively. In addition, saccades to visual targets activated areas FST and the intermediate part of the polysensory temporal-parietal-occipital area. Cortical activity related to visually guided saccades could be explained, at least in part, by visual motion. Because only oculomotor signals can account for the equally robust activations induced by memory saccades in complete darkness, we suggest that areas V5/MT, MST, and V4t receive and/or process saccade-related oculomotor information.