Disorders of motion and depth

Damage to the human homologue of area MT produces a motion perception deficit similar to that found in the monkey with MT lesions. Even temporary disruption of MT processing with transcranial magnetic stimulation can produce a temporary akinetopsia [127]. Motion perception deficits, however, also are found with a variety of subcortical lesions and other neurologic disorders that can best be described as causing a disconnection within the motion processing stream. The precise role of these subcortical structures, such as the cerebellum, remains to be determined. Simple motion perception, moreover, is only a part of MT function. It undoubtedly has an important role in the perception of depth from motion and stereopsis [112]. Psychophysical studies using aftereffects in normal observers suggest a link between stereo mechanisms and the perception of depth from motion [9-11]. There is even a simple correlation between stereo acuity and the perception of depth from motion [128]. Future studies of patients with cortical lesions will take a closer look at depth perception in association with motion perception and should provide a better understanding of how motion and depth are processed together.