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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
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Transferring Cognitive Tasks Between Brain Imaging Modalities: Implications for Task Design and Results Interpretation in fMRI Studies
Published on: September 22, 2014
Brain activation during the spot the differences game.
Eiji Fukuba1, Hajime Kitagaki, Akihiko Wada
1Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Shimane, Japan. estima4106@yahoo.co.jp
Summary
Playing "Spot the Differences" activates the right posterior parietal cortex. This brain region
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The cognitive processes underlying visual perception games like "Spot the Differences" remain largely unexplored.
- Investigating brain activity during these popular games can reveal insights into visual discrimination and attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the primary cortical regions involved in playing the "Spot the Differences" game.
- To compare brain activation patterns during active gameplay versus passive viewing of identical images.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to measure brain activity.
- Participants' brain activity was recorded during two conditions: playing "Spot the Differences" and viewing identical pictures.
Main Results:
- The right posterior parietal cortex exhibited significantly greater activation during "Spot the Differences" gameplay.
- The volume of activation in this region positively correlated with the accuracy of the participant's performance in the game.
Conclusions:
- The right posterior parietal cortex is a key area involved in the visual discrimination required for "Spot the Differences".
- This finding suggests a crucial role for the right posterior parietal cortex in the awareness of subtle visual discrepancies.
