Cortical Areas Involved in Subjective Visual Vertical Perception: A Systematic Review

Meymaneh  Jafari; Hojjat Allah  Haghgoo; Seyed Ruhollah  Hosseini; Hassan  Ashayeri; Enayatollah  Bakhshi; Moslem  Shaabani

doi:10.18502/avr.v34i1.17265

Meymaneh Jafari Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Hojjat Allah Haghgoo Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Ruhollah Hosseini Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Hassan Ashayeri Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Enayatollah Bakhshi Department of Biostatistics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Moslem Shaabani Department of Audiology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/avr.v34i1.17265

Abstract

Background and Aim: The information related to brain oscillation, head rotation and head orientation relative to gravity is obtained from the vestibular system. An important reference for upright posture and navigation is gravity-based vertical perception. Many studies have been conducted for the determination of cortical areas involved in Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) perception in healthy people or patients with brain injuries. Their results have indicated an extensive and bilateral cortical area involved in SVV perception. The purpose of this review study is to investigate these cortical areas and their functional role.

Recent Findings: Neuroimaging studies in patients with brain injuries showed that multiple cortical areas have a role in SVV perception. These areas mainly include the occipital cortex, frontal cortex, posterior temporoparietal, temporo-occipital, parieto-occipital, superior temporal gyrus, inferior parietal lobe in temporoparietal junction, posterior insula, cuneus, lingual gyrus, precuneus, ventral dentate nucleus, cerebellum, and brainstem.

Conclusion: The cortical areas involved in SVV perception are a part of the vestibular system, which is distributed bilaterally. These areas have a multi-sensory processing task and play a role in processing of cognitive and motor sensory information.

Keywords: Subjective visual verticality; vertical perception; cortex; vestibular network