Simulating and testing visual exploration in spatial neglect based on a new model for cortical coordinate transformation

Abstract

Most studies of object and space perception have focused on neural representations of either object-centered or egocentric coordinate systems. But daily life requires interactions of both kinds of coordinates. We have recently proposed an ’integrated space-object (ISO-) map’ combining both coordinate systems in one representation. Based on a lesioned version of this model, here we present results from visual search simulations demonstrating that the model accounts for contralesional neglect during space-centered and object-centered exploration tasks. Interestingly, the model simulations also predicted an amelioration of neglect symptoms during exploration with more ipsilesional object positions. By measuring the eye movements of neglect patients during different exploratory tasks, we confirmed all model predictions. These results corroborate the view that the brain might combine coordinates for object and space perception in an integrated coordinate system as suggested by the ISO-map model.