Visual Fixation & Saccadic Intrusions – Neurology Primer (322)

  Humans spend approximately 80% of their waking hours fixating their gaze.  The ability to fixate is a fine calibration that is disrupted in patients of various neurological and neurodegenerative disorders who display increased gaze instability during the attempt to fixate.  Understanding visual fixation dynamics is critical to advancing current knowledge in oculomotor and visual function in order to understand and help your patients suffering from neurological conditions. This 8-hour seminar will review the most current anatomy and physiology behind visual fixation and saccadic intrusions. Normal and pathological eye movements will be discussed, including which eye movements are commonly seen with specific conditions. Testing and treatment protocols will be taught in such a way that learners can immediately implement what they learned no matter their skill level, and no matter if they have specialized equipment. This program features a comprehensive flipped classroom with over 70 pertinent research articles, an interactive lecture via our online education platform, and a follow-up Q-stream.

Topics Covered:

-Why Study Eye Movements? -The Evolution of Vision -What is Visual Fixation? -Why is Visual Fixation Important? -What is the Neurophysiology Behind Visual Fixation? -What is a Neural Integrator and How Does it Work? -Fundamentals of Pulse and Step -Understanding the Time Constant -Horizontal versus Vertical Eccentric Gaze Holding -Understanding the Gaze Holding Neural Network -Top-Down versus Bottom-Up Attention in Eye Movements -Feature versus Spatial Attention -Covert versus Overt Attention -Neuromodulators and Attention -What are the Similarities and Differences Between Microsaccades, Macrosaccadic Oscillations, Square Wave Jerks, Ocular Drifts, Ocular Tremors, Nystagmus, Saccadic Pulses, Ocular Flutter, and Opsoclonus? -What are Microsaccades and Are They Important? -Microsaccade Neurophysiology -What are Square Wave Jerks? -Are Square Wave Jerks Normal or Pathological? -Square Wave Jerk Neurophysiology/Pathophysiology -The Basal Ganglia in Square Wave Jerks -The Cerebellum in Square Wave Jerks -The Cerebral Cortex in Square Wave Jerks -The Two Opposing Models for the Superior Colliculus in Visual Fixation -What Conditions Are Associated With Abnormal Square Wave Jerks? -What Are Macrosaccadic Oscillations? -What is Ocular Flutter? -What Causes Ocular Flutter? -What is Opsoclonus? -What Causes Opsoclonus? -What Are Saccadic Pulses? -What Causes Saccadic Pulses? -How Can You Use Eye Movements and Visual Fixation To Help Diagnose Neurological Conditions? -How Can You Use Eye Movements to Help Rehabilitate and Manage Neurological Conditions? -What is the Current Evidence-Based Treatments for Disorders of Visual Fixation? -What is the Clinical Neuroscience Approach for Disorders of Visual Fixation? -Video Case Reviews -Flipped Classroom With Over 70 Research Articles