Category-specific and category-general neural codes of recognition memory in the ventral visual pathway

Gu, Lala; Li, Aqian; Yang, Rui; Yang, Jing; Pang, Yingdan; Qu, Jing; Mei, Leilei

doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2023.04.004

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In adults, a region in MPFC has been reported that responds more to images of faces than to other categories (Gu et al, 2023;Schwarz et al, 2019) and dynamic faces compared to dynamic objects similar to the current videos (Julian et al, 2012;Kosakowski et al, 2022b). Yet, the MPFC is not classically considered a face perception region (Gobbini and Haxby, 2007;Haxby et al, 2000) or a visual region, and its response to faces is modulated by social content (Cheng et al, 2022;LaBar, 2003;O'Doherty et al, 2003).…”

Section: Mpfcmentioning

confidence: 97%

Cortical Face-Selective Responses Emerge Early in Human Infancy

Kosakowski

Cohen

Herrera

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Faces are a rich source of social information. How does the infant brain develop the ability to recognize faces and identify potential social partners? We collected functional magnetic neuroimaging (fMRI) data from 49 awake human infants (aged 2.5-9.7 months) while they watched movies of faces, bodies, objects, and scenes. Face-selective responses were observed not only in ventral temporal cortex (VTC) but also in superior temporal sulcus (STS), and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). Face responses were also observed (but not fully selective) in the amygdala and thalamus. We find no evidence that face-selective responses develop in visual perception regions (VTC) prior to higher order social perception (STS) or social evaluation (MPFC) regions. We suggest that face-selective responses may develop in parallel across multiple cortical regions. Infants’ brains could thus simultaneously process faces both as a privileged category of visual images, and as potential social partners.

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Section: Mpfcmentioning

confidence: 97%

Cortical Face-Selective Responses Emerge Early in Human Infancy

Kosakowski

Cohen

Herrera

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Cortical Face-Selective Responses Emerge Early in Human Infancy

Kosakowski,

Cohen,

Herrera

et al. 2024

eNeuro

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In human adults, multiple cortical regions respond robustly to faces, including the occipital face area (OFA) and fusiform face area (FFA), implicated in face perception, and the superior temporal sulcus (STS) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), implicated in higher level social functions. When in development does face selectivity arise in each of these regions? Here, we combined two awake infant functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) datasets to create a sample size twice the size of previous reports (n = 65 infants, 2.6-9.6 months). Infants watched movies of faces, bodies, objects, and scenes while fMRI data were collected. Despite variable amounts of data from each infant, individual subject whole-brain activation maps revealed responses to faces compared to non-face visual categories in the approximate location of OFA, FFA, STS, and MPFC. To determine the strength and nature of face selectivity in these regions, we used cross-validated functional region of interest (fROI) analyses. Across this larger sample size, face responses in OFA, FFA, STS, and MPFC were significantly greater than responses to bodies, objects, and scenes. Even the youngest infants (2-5 months) showed significantly face-selective responses in FFA, STS, and MPFC, but not OFA. These results demonstrate that face selectivity is present in multiple cortical regions within months of birth, providing powerful constraints on theories of cortical development.Significance StatementSocial cognition often begins with face perception. In adults, several cortical regions respond robustly to faces, yet little is known about when and how these regions first arise in development. To test whether face selectivity changes in the first year of life, we combined two datasets, doubling the sample size relative to previous reports. In the approximate location of the fusiform face area (FFA), superior temporal sulcus (STS), and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) but not occipital face area (OFA), face selectivity was present in the youngest group. These findings demonstrate that face-selective responses are present across multiple lobes of the brain very early in life.

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Category-specific and category-general neural codes of recognition memory in the ventral visual pathway

Cited by 2 publications

References 76 publications

Cortical Face-Selective Responses Emerge Early in Human Infancy

Cortical Face-Selective Responses Emerge Early in Human Infancy

Cortical Face-Selective Responses Emerge Early in Human Infancy

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