Eye Movements As Biomarkers To Evaluate Pharmacological Effects On Brain Systems

Eye movements lend themselves to the study of pharmacological influences on sensorimotor and cognitive processes. In this chapter, we provide an introduction to the study of pharmacological influences on eye movements. We will first introduce key concepts and methods in pharmacological research before providing a selective but representative overview of studies that have evaluated pharmacological effects on oculomotor control. We will focus on benzodiazepines and other sedative compounds, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, mood stabilizers, ketamine, nicotine, methylphenidate, and dextroamphetamine in healthy individuals, and we will survey treatment effects of antipsychotics in schizophrenia, stimulants in ADHD, and stimulants in Parkinson's disease. We will introduce the concept of pharmacological model systems and will explain how eye movements may be used in such designs.