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Is the face-sensitive N170 the only ERP not affected by selective attention?
A S Cauquil1, G E Edmonds, M J Taylor
1Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition, UMR CNRS/UPS 5549, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
Neuroreport
|August 3, 2000
Summary
Early face processing, measured by the N170 event-related potential (ERP), appears automatic. Directed attention did not alter the N170’s response to faces or eyes, suggesting automaticity in early visual processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- The N170 event-related potential (ERP) is a key neurophysiological marker for early face processing.
- Understanding the role of attention in modulating early visual processing stages is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether directed attention influences the early neurophysiological indices of face perception.
- To examine the automaticity of face processing by analyzing the N170 component under different attentional demands.
Main Methods:
- Measured the N170 ERP in twelve subjects performing two tasks: attending to eyes only or to faces with eyes closed.
- Presented facial and control stimuli, recording electrophysiological responses at posterior temporal electrodes and the vertex.
- Analyzed N170 latency and amplitude in relation to target/non-target stimuli.
Main Results:
- The N170 was reliably recorded for facial stimuli and eyes, consistent with prior ERP literature.
- Neither the latency nor amplitude of the N170 peaks were significantly affected by the attentional focus (eyes vs. faces).
- Results contrasted with fMRI findings, highlighting differences in sensitivity to attentional modulation.
Conclusions:
- Early stages of face processing, as indexed by the N170, are largely automatic.
- Selective attention does not appear to modify the automatic neural mechanisms underlying early face perception.
- The N170 reflects an obligatory, pre-attentive response to facial features.