A Cortical Region Consisting Entirely of Face-Selective Cells
Harvard University · University of Bremen · +3 more institutions
Abstract
Face perception is a skill crucial to primates. In both humans and macaque monkeys, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reveals a system of cortical regions that show increased blood flow when the subject views images of faces, compared with images of objects. However, the stimulus selectivity of single neurons within these fMRI-identified regions has not been studied. We used fMRI to identify and target the largest face-selective region in two macaques for single-unit recording. Almost all (97%) of the visually responsive neurons in this region were strongly face selective, indicating that a dedicated cortical area exists to support face processing in the macaque.
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 30.22
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 27
Authors
4- DYDoris Y. TsaoCorresponding
Harvard University, University of Bremen, Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- WAWinrich A. Freiwald
Harvard University, University of Bremen, Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- RBRoger B. H. Tootell
Harvard University, University of Bremen, Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- MSMargaret S. Livingstone
Harvard University, University of Bremen, Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Topics & keywords
- Macaque
- Stimulus (psychology)
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging
- Neuroscience
- Perception
- Face (sociological concept)
- Face perception
- Psychology