Psy 394 U Introduction to Sensory Motor Systems
Instructor: Mary Hayhoe
This is an introductory graduate class on sensory-motor systems, covering both sensory-motor
performance and its neural basis and some of the computational issues. The class will consist of
lectures plus discussion. The course will cover material drawn from relevant chapters of
Fundamental Neuroscience, by Squire et al 4th ed, Principals of Neuroscience by Kandell, Schwartz &
Jessel 5th ed, Human Motor Control, by Rosenbaum 2nd ed, Cognitive Neuroscience, by Gazzaniga et
al 3rd ed. The final exam will be take home essay style.
Lecture
Topic
1. Aug 31
Central visual processing: extra-striate visual areas and their function.
2. Sept 7
Central visual processing: dorsal and ventral streams, posterior parietal cortex,
multi-sensory integration.
3. Sept 14
Somatosensory system: peripheral organs and central projections.
4. Sept 21
Motor system: overview, motor programs
5. Sept 28
Muscles, spinal networks
6. Oct 5
Basal ganglia, cerebellum
7. Oct 12
Eye movements: characterization and circuitry
8. Oct 19
Eye movements: characterization and circuitry (ctd)
9. Oct 26
Reaching and grasping: neural basis, feedback & feedforward control.
10. Nov 2
Reaching and grasping: visuo-motor coordination and plasticity
11. Nov 9
Computational issues in motor control
12. Nov 16
Attention: neurophysiological effects, visual search
13.Nov 23.
Pre-frontal cortex and executive function
14.Nov 30
Review
http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/class/Psy394U/Hayhoe/IntroSensoryMotorSystems/