Evaluation of cognition with the eyelink: Saccadic eye movements in healthy subjects

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to determine the normative data of eye movements models for healthy individuals between the ages of 18‐77.Method76 healthy subjects were included in 3 age groups as 18‐44, 45‐59, 60+. Neuropsychological assessment with five cognitive domains, was applied. EyeLink 1000 Plus was used to record and pro‐saccade and anti‐saccade eye movement paradigms. Amplitude, latency, anticipatory saccades, express saccades, correct saccade response, corrected saccade and uncorrected saccade responses were analyzed.ResultIn antisaccade results, correct saccade response, latency, amplitude, anticipatory saccade, express saccade, corrected saccade response, uncorrected saccade were significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). Significant difference was also found in prosaccade latency (p<0.001). In the 18‐44 age group, executive functions were highly negatively correlated with antisaccade latency (r = ‐0.744, p = 0.000), and language was meanly negatively correlated with latency (r = ‐0.514, p = ‐0.010). In the 45‐59 age group, a medium level of negative correlation was observed between executive functions and latency (r = ‐0.501, p = 0.025). Language and express saccade (r = ‐0.515, p = 0.020) were meanly negatively correlated in the 45‐59 year age group. In the 60+ age group, a medium level of negative correlation was found between attention and latency (r = ‐0.414, p = 0.021). In this age group, executive functions and uncorrected saccade (r = ‐0.396, p = 0.027) were weakly negatively correlated.ConclusionDecline in cognitive functions that occur with aging might affect eye movements. The relationship between antisaccades and cognitive functions in our preliminary study may attract attention to antisaccades in evaluation of cognition.