Akinetopsia

What is akinetopsia?

Akinetopsia is a rare neuropsychological condition characterized by motion blindness. It affects a person’s ability to perceive motion within their visual field. Some people with akinetopsia see things in stop-action motion. For others, objects may seem to vanish and then reappear. 

Normal motion perception allows the brain to recognize when objects are in motion. When akinetopsia occurs, this perception has been disrupted. Akinetopsia is a type of visual agnosia. It is a visual processing disorder (a condition that affects how the brain processes what a person sees). This means the brain has trouble understanding the information taken in through the eyes. Motion blindness may occur in varying degrees. 

The word akinetopsia comes from the Greek language. A means “not,” kine refers to “move” and opsia translates to “see.” It is an acquired condition, which means it isn't inherited or present at birth. It can occur when the visual processing area of the brain is damaged. 

Motion blindness can impact an individual's ability to complete day-to-day activities, such as:

• Cooking

• Reading

• Playing sports

• Watching television

• Driving

In some cases, the effects may be mild and not interfere with routine activities. Individuals with motion blindness can usually still see stationary objects.

Types of akinetopsia

Akinetopsia is classified based on the severity of the condition and its effects on motion perception. Two primary forms have been identified.

Frozen frames

This form of akinetopsia is referred to as cinematographic vision or inconspicuous akinetopsia. Individuals with cinematographic vision see motion like a movie reel as if freezing frame by frame. Strobe-like effects may also occur. It is the least severe and most common type of the condition.

Vanishing objects

The second form of akinetopsia, also known as gross akinetopsia, is more severe and refers to the invisibility of moving objects. It involves the complete inability to perceive motion. Objects may seem to vanish once they move. Gross akinetopsia is extremely rare.

Akinetopsia vs. Zeitraffer phenomenon

Zeitraffer phenomenon is a condition similar to akinetopsia that affects motion perception. It impairs the brain’s ability to determine the speed at which objects in the visual field are moving. With this condition, objects may appear to move in slow motion. 

Symptoms

Akinetopsia symptoms vary among individuals and the severity of the condition. People with motion blindness may experience one or more of the following:

• Objects that freeze in motion

• Objects that seem to move frame by frame

• Objects that still appear when no longer in the visual field

• Objects that vanish within the visual field

• Difficulty tracking moving objects

• Difficulty reaching for moving objects

• Strobe-light effects 

• Complete motion blindness

In rare cases, severe visual impairment may occur. Damage to the eye is generally not observed.

Complete motion blindness only develops in cases of bilateral brain damage. Milder cases usually occur with unilateral damage.

People with akinetopsia must often rely on their hearing instead of visual function. 

Motion blindness causes

Akinetopsia is caused by damage to a certain area of the brain known as the cerebral cortex. As such, it is also referred to as cerebral akinetopsia. 

Within the cerebral cortex lies the visual cortex, located in the back of the head. The visual cortex processes visual details provided by the retina. It is categorized into five elements. V5 is the portion responsible for processing visual-spatial motion perception.

It is believed that damage to the V5 portion of the visual cortex is the cause of akinetopsia. Most cases of akinetopsia are due to bilateral brain damage. However, it may also result when only one side of the brain is damaged. 

Several factors may increase the risk of brain damage or lead to motion blindness:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Stroke

• Brain tumors

• Epilepsy

• Neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease)

• Hallucinogen persistent perception disorder (HPPD)

• Post-concussive syndrome (PCS)

• Adverse effects of medication

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

As it is a very rare condition, there are few documented cases of akinetopsia. It may affect people of all ages, races and ethnicities. Males and females are affected equally.

SEE RELATED: How does the brain control eyesight?

Diagnosis

Akinetopsia is diagnosed through a neuro-ophthalmic examination and medical history review. Simple tests may be used to assess an individual’s ability to perceive motion. This might include throwing an object in the air and asking the patient to describe the object in motion. A diagnosis may be based on symptoms and a history of factors that might have caused the condition. Such factors may include trauma, medications or other events.

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be conducted to rule out other conditions. Further tests might be performed to detect underlying conditions that could be causing motion blindness.

Treatment

Akinetopsia can be challenging to address. There is no identified cure or effective treatment for the condition at this time. No medications have been approved for the treatment of akinetopsia. Treatment generally centers on the underlying condition or factors that caused motion blindness. 

The prognosis of akinetopsia varies among individuals and the severity of symptoms.

Complications

Akinetopsia can be life-changing and impact a person’s day-to-day living in many ways. It can interfere with the ability to perform routine functions, such as:

• Preparing food

• Performing job duties

• Following conversations

• Walking on or crossing streets 

The impact of motion blindness may lead to emotional distress and a lower quality of life.

When to see a doctor

Any vision changes should be evaluated promptly by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. These eye specialists might partner with other medical professionals to address motion blindness. 

A neuro-ophthalmologist may be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of akinetopsia. Neuro-ophthalmologists are physicians that diagnose and treat vision problems relating to the brain and nerves. 

READ NEXT: Visual Perception: How it works and common disorders

Page published on Thursday, November 30, 2023

Page updated on Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Medically reviewed on Wednesday, October 4, 2023