Neural Basis of Vision and Action


All of our actions and behaviours, whether conscious or not, start with the sensation of a stimulus and end with a muscle movement. Actions in turn produce future perceptions. This module will explore the perception-action loop focusing on vision and proprioception as the main sensory inputs. We will consider how perception drives our actions but also how the motor system determines our sensory input via eye and hand movements. Taking a neurophysiological approach the module will consider the role of inhibition, excitation and learning in both sensory encoding and motor production and how such processes can produce illusions in healthy individuals. The clinical consequences of imbalances between excitation and inhibition, and also the effects of neurological and neuropsychological trauma will be discussed. You will learn how to present scientific concepts to a variety of audiences.