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Di Giovanni M, Poggiani A, Bianchi S, Rosini F, Rufa A, Federico A. Adult Alexander disease with de novo c.1193C>T heterozygous variant in GFAP gene. Neurol Sci 2015; 37:143-145. [PMID: 26396075 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-015-2378-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Tumminelli G, Di Donato I, Guida V, Rufa A, De Luca A, Federico A. Oculodentodigital Dysplasia with Massive Brain Calcification and a New Mutation of GJA1 Gene. J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 49:27-30. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-150424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Da Pozzo P, Rubegni A, Rufa A, Cardaioli E, Taglia I, Gallus GN, Malandrini A, Federico A. Sporadic PEO caused by a novel POLG variation and a Twinkle mutation: digenic inheritance? Neurol Sci 2015; 36:1713-5. [PMID: 26050231 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-015-2247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) with multiple deletions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is associated with several mutations in nuclear genes. They include POLG, POLG2, ANT1, C10orf2/Twinkle, and OPA1. However, digenic inheritance in mitochondrial disorders has been documented in a few cases over the years. Here we describe an 80-year-old man with sporadic PEO associated with mtDNA deletions. Sequencing of the POLG revealed a novel heterozygous mutation (c.2831A>G; p.Glu944Gly), predicted in silico as damaging, in the patient who also carried a heterozygous mutation in C10orf2/Twinkle (c.1142T>C; p.Leu381Pro). This case provides a second report of a PEO with different mutations in the POLG and C10orf2/Twinkle genes, supporting the hypothesis that the PEO phenotype can be determined by the co-existence of two abnormalities in separate genes, both involved in the maintenance and stability of mtDNA. Finally, this study expands the spectrum of POLG mutations and highlights the need to sequence the whole set of nuclear genes associated with PEO and multiple mtDNA deletions.
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Brooks G, Dolphin M, Rufa A. Who provides physical therapy in the United States? An analysis using data from the 2011 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Physiotherapy 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Formichi P, Radi E, Giorgi E, Gallus GN, Brunetti J, Battisti C, Rufa A, Dotti MT, Franceschini R, Bracci L, Federico A. Analysis of opa1 isoforms expression and apoptosis regulation in autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA) patients with mutations in the opa1 gene. J Neurol Sci 2015; 351:99-108. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Vinciguerra C, Federighi P, Rosini F, Pretegiani E, Cardaioli E, Dotti MT, Sicurelli F, Federico A, Rufa A. Eye movement changes in mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE). J Neurol Sci 2015; 350:107-9. [PMID: 25656101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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32
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Rosini F, Rufa A, Monti L, Tirelli L, Federico A. Adult-onset phenylketonuria revealed by acute reversible dementia, prosopagnosia and parkinsonism. J Neurol 2014; 261:2446-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-014-7492-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Stan C, Astefanoaei C, Pretegiani E, Optican L, Creanga D, Rufa A, Cristescu CP. Nonlinear analysis of saccade speed fluctuations during combined action and perception tasks. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 232:102-9. [PMID: 24854830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Revised: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Saccades are rapid eye movements used to gather information about a scene which requires both action and perception. These are usually studied separately, so that how perception influences action is not well understood. In a dual task, where the subject looks at a target and reports a decision, subtle changes in the saccades might be caused by action-perception interactions. Studying saccades might provide insight into how brain pathways for action and for perception interact. NEW METHOD We applied two complementary methods, multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis and Lempel-Ziv complexity index to eye peak speed recorded in two experiments, a pure action task and a combined action-perception task. RESULTS Multifractality strength is significantly different in the two experiments, showing smaller values for dual decision task saccades compared to simple-task saccades. The normalized Lempel-Ziv complexity index behaves similarly i.e. is significantly smaller in the decision saccade task than in the simple task. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Compared to the usual statistical and linear approaches, these analyses emphasize the character of the dynamics involved in the fluctuations and offer a sensitive tool for quantitative evaluation of the multifractal features and of the complexity measure in the saccades peak speeds when different brain circuits are involved. CONCLUSION Our results prove that the peak speed fluctuations have multifractal characteristics with lower magnitude for the multifractality strength and for the complexity index when two neural pathways are simultaneously activated, demonstrating the nonlinear interaction in the brain pathways for action and perception.
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Veneri G, Pretegiani E, Fargnoli F, Rosini F, Vinciguerra C, Federighi P, Federico A, Rufa A. Spatial ranking strategy and enhanced peripheral vision discrimination optimize performance and efficiency of visual sequential search. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 40:2833-41. [PMID: 24893753 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Visual sequential search might use a peripheral spatial ranking of the scene to put the next target of the sequence in the correct order. This strategy, indeed, might enhance the discriminative capacity of the human peripheral vision and spare neural resources associated with foveation. However, it is not known how exactly the peripheral vision sustains sequential search and whether the sparing of neural resources has a cost in terms of performance. To elucidate these issues, we compared strategy and performance during an alpha-numeric sequential task where peripheral vision was modulated in three different conditions: normal, blurred, or obscured. If spatial ranking is applied to increase the peripheral discrimination, its use as a strategy in visual sequencing should differ according to the degree of discriminative information that can be obtained from the periphery. Moreover, if this strategy spares neural resources without impairing the performance, its use should be associated with better performance. We found that spatial ranking was applied when peripheral vision was fully available, reducing the number and time of explorative fixations. When the periphery was obscured, explorative fixations were numerous and sparse; when the periphery was blurred, explorative fixations were longer and often located close to the items. Performance was significantly improved by this strategy. Our results demonstrated that spatial ranking is an efficient strategy adopted by the brain in visual sequencing to highlight peripheral detection and discrimination; it reduces the neural cost by avoiding unnecessary foveations, and promotes sequential search by facilitating the onset of a new saccade.
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Bianchi S, Di Palma C, Gallus GN, Taglia I, Poggiani A, Rosini F, Rufa A, Muresanu DF, Cerase A, Dotti MT, Federico A. Two novel HTRA1 mutations in a European CARASIL patient. Neurology 2014; 82:898-900. [PMID: 24500651 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000000202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Palmeri S, Rufa A, Pucci B, Santarnecchi E, Malandrini A, Stromillo ML, Mandalà M, Rosini F, De Stefano N, Federico A. Clinical course of two Italian siblings with ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder. THE CEREBELLUM 2014; 12:596-9. [PMID: 23436002 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-013-0460-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder (ATLD) due to mutations in the MRE11 gene is a very rare autosomal recessive disease, described so far in only 20 patients. Little is known about the onset of the first symptoms or the clinical course of the disease. The present report contributes to the diagnosis of ATLD and its prognosis at onset. We report 30 years of clinical and ophthalmic observations and the results of quantitative magnetic resonance (MR), MR spectroscopy (proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging) and neuropsychological assessment in the first Italian siblings identified with ATLD. Although the disease had early onset and the clinical picture was initially severe, suggesting ataxia-telangiectasia, neurological impairment, ocular motor apraxia and neuropsychological tests showed very slow deterioration in adult age. The patients developed eye and head motor strategies to compensate ocular motor apraxia. MR measurements and MR spectroscopy disclosed widespread neuronal and axonal involvement. ATLD should be considered in patients with ocular apraxia and ataxia in infancy. The long follow-up provided insights into clinical outcome, with functional neuroimaging studies shedding light on the pathogenetic mechanisms of this rare disease.
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Battisti C, Di Donato I, Bianchi S, Monti L, Formichi P, Rufa A, Taglia I, Cerase A, Dotti MT, Federico A. Hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids: three patients with stroke-like presentation carrying new mutations in the CSF1R gene. J Neurol 2014; 261:768-72. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-014-7257-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Revised: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Aştefănoaei C, Creangă D, Pretegiani E, Optican LM, Rufa A. DYNAMICAL COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS OF SACCADIC EYE MOVEMENTS IN TWO DIFFERENT PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. ROMANIAN REPORTS IN PHYSICS 2014; 66:1038-1055. [PMID: 25698890 PMCID: PMC4331081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Saccadic eye movements of a normal subject were assessed through semi-quantitative analysis algorithms based on linear and non-linear test application in order to highlight the dynamics type characterizing saccadic neural system behavior. These movements were recorded during a simple visually-guided saccade test and one with a cognitive load involving button pressing to show a decision. Following the application of specific computational tests, chaotic dynamical trend dominancy was mostly revealed with some differences between the two saccade recording conditions: auto-correlation time was increased from 170 to 240 by cognitive task superposition and the Hurst exponent was enhanced from 0.52 to 0.76, denoting more persistence in the dynamics of saccadic system during increased neural activity related to cognitive task.
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Vinciguerra C, Rufa A, Bianchi S, Sperduto A, De Santis M, Malandrini A, Dotti MT, Federico A. Homozygosity and severity of phenotypic presentation in a CADASIL family. Neurol Sci 2013; 35:91-3. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-013-1580-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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40
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Rosini F, Pretegiani E, Guideri F, Cerase A, Rufa A. Eight and a Half Syndrome with Hemiparesis and Hemihypesthesia: The Nine Syndrome? J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2013; 22:e637-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2012] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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41
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Cerase A, Vallone IM, Rufa A, Leonini S. Pseudo-intraventricular hemorrhage from a deep calcarine fissure. Surg Radiol Anat 2013; 36:601-3. [PMID: 24173013 DOI: 10.1007/s00276-013-1226-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Evidence of areas of increased attenuation density within lateral ventricles at computed tomography (CT) of the brain is a finding of acute or subacute intraventricular hemorrhage. The purpose of this case report is to describe a 14-year-old female who presented with an episode of complicated migraine. Brain CT showed an area of high attenuation density (35 Hounsfield Units) in the trigone and occipital horn of the right lateral ventricle, mimicking a blood-fluid level from subacute intraventricular hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed that this resulted from gray matter lining a deep calcarine fissure. A deep calcarine fissure may mimic intraventricular hemorrhage at CT. Correct CT and MRI interpretation allows to avoid invasive diagnostic tests including lumbar puncture or intra-arterial catheter angiography.
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Di Donato I, Bianchi S, Taglia I, Gallus G, Stabile C, Battisti C, Rufa A, Dotti M, Federico A. Three new mutations in CSF1R gene in 3 Italian patients with hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids. J Neurol Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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43
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Bianchi S, Rufa A, Vinciguerra C, Gallus G, Dotti M, Federico A. Homozygosity for P.Cys183ser mutation in Notch3 gene may influence the severity of clinical presentation? Report of an Italian family. J Neurol Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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44
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Lucii G, Rosini F, Federighi P, Pretegiani E, Giannini F, Federico A, Rufa A. Oculomotor changes in multiple system atrophy: Clinical, MRI and laboratory features in eight patients. J Neurol Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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45
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Rosini F, Cerase A, Pretegiani E, Lucii G, Federighi P, Federico A, Rufa A. Photophobia and bilateral pulvinar involvement in non-alcoholic Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Neurol Sci 2013; 34:1867-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-013-1338-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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46
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Bianchi S, Di Palma C, Gallus G, Taglia I, Poggiani A, Rosini F, Cerase A, Rufa A, Muresanu D, Dotti M, Federico A. Two new heterozygous mutations of Htra1 gene in a Caucasian patient affected by CARASIL. J Neurol Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2013.07.2286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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47
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Rosini F, Federighi P, Pretegiani E, Piu P, Leigh RJ, Serra A, Federico A, Rufa A. Ocular-motor profile and effects of memantine in a familial form of adult cerebellar ataxia with slow saccades and square wave saccadic intrusions. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69522. [PMID: 23894498 PMCID: PMC3718679 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fixation instability due to saccadic intrusions is a feature of autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxias, and includes square wave intrusions (SWI) and macrosaccadic oscillations (MSO). A recent report suggested that the non-competitive antagonist of NMDA receptors, memantine, could decrease MSO and improve fixation in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia with saccadic intrusions (SCASI). We similarly tested two sisters, respectively of 58 and 60 years, with an unrecognized form of recessive, adult-onset cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy and slow saccades, who showed prominent SWI and also complained with difficulty in reading. We tested horizontal visually guided saccades (10°–18°) and three minutes of steady fixation in each patient and in thirty healthy controls. Both patients showed a significant reduction of peak and mean velocity compared with control subjects. Large SWI interrupting steady fixation were prominent during steady fixation and especially following visually guided saccades. Eye movements were recorded before and during the treatment with memantine, 20 mg/daily for 6 months. The treatment with memantine reduced both the magnitude and frequency of SWI (the former significantly), but did not modified neurological conditions or saccade parameters. Thus, our report suggests that memantine may have some general suppressive effect on saccadic intrusions, including both SWI and MSO, thereby restoring the capacity of reading and visual attention in these and in other recessive forms of ataxia, including Friedreich’s, in which saccadic intrusions are prominent.
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Mignarri A, Chini E, Rufa A, Rocchi R, Federico A, Dotti MT. Lithium neurotoxicity mimicking rapidly progressive dementia. J Neurol 2013; 260:1152-4. [PMID: 23306658 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-012-6820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2012] [Revised: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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49
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Aştefănoaei C, Pretegiani E, Optican L, Creangă D, Rufa A. EYE MOVEMENT RECORDING AND NONLINEAR DYNAMICS ANALYSIS - THE CASE OF SACCADES. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF BIOPHYSICS 2013; 23:81-92. [PMID: 25698889 PMCID: PMC4331077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Evidence of a chaotic behavioral trend in eye movement dynamics was examined in the case of a saccadic temporal series collected from a healthy human subject. Saccades are highvelocity eye movements of very short duration, their recording being relatively accessible, so that the resulting data series could be studied computationally for understanding the neural processing in a motor system. The aim of this study was to assess the complexity degree in the eye movement dynamics. To do this we analyzed the saccadic temporal series recorded with an infrared camera eye tracker from a healthy human subject in a special experimental arrangement which provides continuous records of eye position, both saccades (eye shifting movements) and fixations (focusing over regions of interest, with rapid, small fluctuations). The semi-quantitative approach used in this paper in studying the eye functioning from the viewpoint of non-linear dynamics was accomplished by some computational tests (power spectrum, portrait in the state space and its fractal dimension, Hurst exponent and largest Lyapunov exponent) derived from chaos theory. A high complexity dynamical trend was found. Lyapunov largest exponent test suggested bi-stability of cellular membrane resting potential during saccadic experiment.
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Veneri G, Pretegiani E, Rosini F, Federighi P, Federico A, Rufa A. Evaluating the human ongoing visual search performance by eye tracking application and sequencing tests. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2012; 107:468-477. [PMID: 21453982 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2011.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2010] [Revised: 12/12/2010] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Human visual search is an everyday activity that enables humans to explore the real world. Given the visual input, during a visual search, it is necessary to select some aspects of input to shift the gaze to next target. The aim of the study is to develop a mathematical method able to evaluate the visual selection process during the execution of a high cognitively demanding task such as the trial making test part B (TMT). The TMT is a neuro-psychological instrument where numbers and letters should be connected to each other in numeric and alphabetic order. We adapted the TMT to an eye-tracking version, and we used a vector model, the "eight pointed star" (8PS), to discover how selection (fixations) guides next exploration (saccades) and how human top-down factors interact with bottom-up saliency. The results reported a trend to move away from the last fixations correlated to the number of distracters and the execution performance.
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