Frontal Eye Field Essay

The frontal eye field, also referred to as FEF, is a region of the brain located in the prefrontal cortex. The FEF is responsible for preparing and controlling eye movements through different pathways as well as visual perception and awareness. The electrical stimulations occurring in this area is able to trigger eye movements. It was first discovered by scientist Dave Ferrier in the 1870’s when he found that electric stimulation of this part of the brain produced movement in the eyes and head in monkeys. Over the following years, the stimulation of this area was replicated in various other species of primates such as gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, etc. Currently, the FEF is identified by electrical stimulation by low electrical currents. The many studies done after Ferrier looked more into the anatomy as well as the nature of the type of movements evoked. …show more content…
The FEF works with the superior colliculus (SC), located on the roof of the midbrain, to generate rapid, saccadic eye movements or saccades. A saccade is a type of eye movement in which the eyes rapidly and simultaneously move to change the point of fixation. For instance, when one’s eyes are skimming left to right while reading or when one’s eyes shift their focus from one object to another. The FEF produces saccade movement through four major pathways, “(1) a projection to the ipsilateral superior colliculus concentrated in the intermediate layers, (2) a pathway through the basal ganglia via the ipsilateral striatum, (3) a projection to the cerebellum via the pontine nuclei, and (4) a weaker projection to mesencephalic and pontine nuclei that make up the saccade generator circuit” (Schall