PET IMAGING OF MAZE PROCESSING

Covered maze traversal models nonverbal planning, involving sequential execution of moves using learned spatial maps. To determine the neura l substrate involved in maze processing, eleven adults underwent [(H2O )-O-15]-PET while performing motor control, following the computer; vi sual control, choosing the wall with more dead-ends; uncovered maze, t raversing fully visible mazes; covered maze, traversing mazes only loc ally visible. Maze processing lateralizes to the right hemisphere: unc overed maze versus controls revealed area 23 and 29 activation; covere d maze versus controls activated areas 8, 10 and 19. The extrastriate region may store path information, evoked by prefrontal areas for spat ial planning and navigation. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.