The Influence of Sequential Mechanisms on Saccadic and Antisaccadic Test Parameters

Abstract:

This doctoral dissertation investigates the dynamic, time-dependent behavior of the oculomotor system, specifically focusing on how sequential mechanisms influence executive functions and inhibitory control during saccadic and antisaccadic tasks.

Unlike standard static cross-sectional studies, this research approaches the frontal-basal ganglia-superior colliculus network as a system with "memory," analyzing how the cognitive state from a preceding trial ($N-1$) modulates reaction times (RT) and error rates in the subsequent trial ($N$). This provides a high-resolution insight into the real-time operational limits of working memory and frontal lobe plasticity.

Quantifying In Vivo Cortical Plasticity:

A central tenet of this research is the conceptualization of sequential facilitation—specifically, the trial-to-trial reduction in reaction times driven by repetition priming—as a direct, quantifiable proxy for short-term synaptic plasticity. Rather than evaluating the oculomotor network as a static, binary system (functional vs. non-functional), this thesis utilizes the performance "delta" to actively measure the real-time adaptive capacity and functional elasticity of frontal cortical circuits.

Methodological & Statistical Rigor:

A major distinguishing feature of this work is the application of advanced mathematical modeling to overcome the limitations of classical biostatistics. Recognizing that reaction times strictly violate the assumption of normality, the data was modeled using ex-Gaussian distributions to capture the critical right-skewed tail of cognitive processing times. Furthermore, the complex, nested nature of the sequential data was resolved using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs). This robust approach allowed for the precise isolation of fixed sequential effects while strictly controlling for random intra-subject and inter-subject variability.

Key Implications:

The findings offer a deep, mechanistic understanding of cognitive switching and inhibitory control. By mapping the sequential dynamics of the frontal cortex, this thesis establishes a rigorous analytical framework for evaluating neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders (such as Frontotemporal Dementia - FTD), where the precise timing, synaptic plasticity, and suppression of automated motor responses are the first to collapse.

Note: The full text of the dissertation is in Polish. The document features high-fidelity vector graphics and complex statistical matrices detailing the GLMM architecture.