41. Application of eye tracking in neuroscience

Abstract

Introduction Eye tracking is a technology using cameras to record and analyze eye movements and gaze patterns, therefore providing insight into both cognitive and physiological processing of visual information. Neurological problems frequently affect the way visual information is processed, which then reversely affect the eye movements. While the idea of eye tracking exists for a long time, recent technological advances enable more precise measurement, automated evaluation and make the technology broadly available. Applications Specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia are often first diagnosed late due to bad reading skills at school. The eye tracking can be used for screening in preschool age even with children who cannot yet read by easier tasks: e.g. the well known non-verbal Pavlidis task, the gravity effect or by simple smooth stimuli movement tracking. Similarly, schizophrenia is associated with wide spectrum of cognitive impairments. The eye tracking can be used with smooth stimuli movement tracking or also in conjunction with the Rorschach test where it can provide additional information channel for examining psychologist. Other applications of eye tracking include early detection of Alzheimer disease, Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eye tracking is also applicable in the field of assistive technologies where the eye movements serve as output channel, and in other non-medical applications. Ongoing study We are currently evaluating a study on early dyslexia detection. Six special schools with preschool classes for children with learning and other disabilities participate in the study. Total of 384 children aging from 6 to 11 years were recorded, of which 33 were diagnosed specifically with dyslexia. Preliminary results suggest differences in the Pavlidis task. Conclusion The contribution presents possibilities eye tracking technologies offer for specialized medical examinations and objective evaluation of the measured data. It has been proven in several applications that eye tracking can be successively used both in diagnostic and therapeutical applications. The ongoing study is being made to develop practical application for early dyslexia detection, perform clinical evaluation, and certification of both the method and recording equipment.