Neural correlates of cognitive saccades

According to the authors, the shortening of saccadic reactions times may arise from a top-down disinhibition of the Superior Colliculus (SC), potentially mediated by the direct pathway connecting frontal / prefrontal cortex structures to the SC. [...]we found that making reflexive saccades in the Identification condition (pre)activates more the dorsal attentional network. [...]because of the top-down connections of this system to subcortical regions involved in control of attention and ocular movements (e.g., SC), the trigger of saccades would be speeded up.