How optic flow and inertial cues improve motion perception

Abstract

Estimating our egocentric heading direction is an important component of navigation. Recent studies have explored how inertial cues from the vestibular system and optic flow signals from the visual system interact to improve perceptual precision and accuracy. Heading precision is improved through multisensory integration, whereas heading accuracy is maintained through multisensory calibration mechanisms. Neural correlates of these behaviors are found in a large interconnected cortical network, although the specific contributions of each area remain to be explored. Whether and how this multisensory selfmotion cortical circuit contributes to navigation and how egocentric heading signals interact with the allocentric representations for foraging and exploration also remain challenges for the future.