Work

The Long-Term Absence of Static Stereopsis Cultivates Adaptive Planning of Reaching-to-Grasp

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: To determine how the absence of stereopsis affects sensorimotor adaptation in visually guided reaching-to-grasp by comparing slant perception and depth-directed motor control between adults with long-term stereoblindness and typically sighted adults. Methods: Twenty-four adults (12 stereoblind, 12 typically sighted) completed a slant-matching task (perceptual estimate of surface orientation) and a reaching-to-grasp task (motor execution in depth). Outcomes indexed perceptual accuracy and grasp kinematics, including approach speed and the timing of grip alignment to surface slant. Results: Groups performed comparably on slant matching, but the stereoblind group adopted distinct grasping strategies, characterized by a faster approach to the target and delayed grip alignment relative to controls. Conclusions: Findings indicate adaptive reorganization of motor planning following long-term deprivation of static binocular (disparity) cues. The visuomotor system appears to recalibrate the balance between feedforward and feedback control-placing greater weight on real-time sensory information when anticipatory planning is constrained-highlighting flexible, ecological pathways for development and adaptation.

Source: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

DOI: 10.1167/iovs.66.15.31

Authors: Pin Yang, Geoffrey P. Bingham, Zhongting Chen

Institutions: Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University, East China Normal University, Shanghai Changning Mental Health Center

Language: English

Topic: Motor Control and Adaptation

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,850