Enhancing brain activity by controlling virtual objects with the eye

摘要

Stimulation of the damaged neural networks is a key factor for the reorganization of neural functions in the treatment of motor deficits. This work explores, using functional MRI, a system to activate motor regions that does not require voluntary limb movements. Healthy participants, in a virtual environment, controlled a virtual paddle using only their eye movements, which was related with an increase of the activity in frontoparietal motor regions. This may be a promising way to enhance motor activity without resorting to limb movements that are not always possible in patients with motor deficits.