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Analyzing Neural Activity and Connectivity Using Intracranial EEG Data with SPM Software

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The lateral occipital cortex in the face perception network: an effective connectivity study.

Krisztina Nagy¹, Mark W Greenlee, Gyula Kovács

¹Institute of Psychology, University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany.

Frontiers in Psychology

|May 18, 2012

Summary

This study reveals the lateral occipital (LO) cortex is interconnected with core face processing areas, suggesting a triangular network for human face perception. Face and object visual inputs integrate early via the LO cortex.

Keywords:

dynamic causal modeling effective connectivity face perception fusiform face area lateral occipital cortex occipital face area

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Visual Perception

Background:

Human face perception relies on a complex network of cortical areas.
The role of the lateral occipital (LO) cortex in face perception is not well understood.
LO is known for its involvement in general visual object perception.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effective connectivity between the lateral occipital (LO) cortex and the core face-processing network.
To determine how the LO cortex interacts with the fusiform face area (FFA) and occipital face area (OFA).
To identify the primary input source for face/object information within this network.

Main Methods:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to study brain activity.
Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) was used to analyze effective connectivity between brain regions.
Connectivity patterns between LO, FFA, and OFA were specifically examined.

Main Results:

Significant bidirectional connections were found between LO and both OFA and FFA.
These connections suggest a triangular network structure within the face perception system.
Evidence indicates that face and object visual inputs are not segregated early on and enter via the LO cortex.

Conclusions:

The lateral occipital (LO) cortex plays a role in face perception.
A triangular network involving LO, OFA, and FFA is proposed for face processing.
Early integration of face and object visual information occurs within the LO cortex.