the distributed human neural system for face perception

The distributed human neural system for face perception

-James V. Haxby, Elizabeth A. Hoffman, M. Ida Gobbini

Face Perception

• Highly developed visual skill in humans• Mediated by a Neural system

Consists of two parts:1. 2.

Neural System

Core System Extended System

Prefrontal RegionPrefrontal Region

Core-3 bilateral regions

Superior Temporal Sulcus

-changeable aspects

Fusiform Gyrus

-representation of Identity

Inferior Occipital Gyrus

-input to both regions

Extended-additional regions

Amygdala (limbic) and Prefrontal cortex ( Inferior Frontal Gyrus, Orbitofrontal Cortex )*Temporal- auditory*Parietal-spatial attention

-Interpret meaning from faces

How did they know?

Face-responsive RegionsCore System

Lateral Fusiform Gyrus

Activity Response

“Fusiform Face Area”

Core Neural system

Step 1

Face Identification

Extended Neural System

Step 2

Perceive face and expression

Step 3

Infer mood

“He is Upset”

Direct vs. Averted Gaze

Which is more interesting?

Face Perception and Spatial Attention

Superior Temporal Sulcus+

Intraparietal Sulcus

Parietal Neural Systems

Averted Gaze

Face Perception and Spatial Attention

Famous FacesEvents

Activation of the

appearance

Activation of the

appearance

Activation of Semantics

Activation of Semantics

Retrieval of Persons name

Retrieval of Persons name

….I’ve seen him somewhere….??

Isn’t he the President of the United States….

That’s Barack Obama!!!

Anterior middle temporal gyrus