Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
09:32
Cortical Source Analysis of High-Density EEG Recordings in Children
Published on: June 30, 2014
Cortical specialisation for face processing: face-sensitive event-related potential components in 3- and 12-month-old
H Halit1, M de Haan, M H Johnson
1Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK. h.halit@psychology.bbk.ac.uk
Neuroimage
|July 26, 2003
Summary
The infant face processing components N290 and P400 become more specific to human faces as babies develop. The adult N170 face recognition marker emerges from these two distinct infant components.
Area of Science:
- Developmental neuroscience
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- The adult N170 is an electrophysiological marker for specialized face processing mechanisms.
- The developmental origins of the adult N170 are not well understood.
- Two face-sensitive infant event-related potential (ERP) components, the N290 and P400, have been previously identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the specificity of infant N290 and P400 components to upright human faces at 3 and 12 months of age.
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of face processing mechanisms from infancy to adulthood.
Main Methods:
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from infants at 3 and 12 months of age.
- Infants were presented with visual stimuli including upright human faces.
- The specificity of the N290 and P400 components to human faces was analyzed.
Main Results:
- At 12 months, both the N290 and P400 showed a degree of specificity to human faces comparable to the adult N170.
- At 3 months, the N290 and P400 exhibited less specificity for human faces compared to 12-month-olds.
- These findings indicate a developmental increase in the face specificity of these infant ERP components.
Conclusions:
- Face-sensitive ERP components (N290 and P400) increase in their specificity for upright human faces during development.
- The adult N170 likely emerges from the integration of the distinct N290 and P400 components, rather than a single precursor.
- This study provides insights into the developmental emergence of specialized face processing in the human brain.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
01:20Parallel Processing
The brain processes sensory information rapidly due to parallel processing, which involves sending data across multiple neural pathways at the same time. This method allows the brain to manage various sensory qualities, such as shapes, colors, movements, and locations, all concurrently. For instance, when observing a forest landscape, the brain simultaneously processes the movement of leaves, the shapes of trees, the depth between them, and the various shades of green. This enables a quick and...
01:24Prosopagnosia
Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...