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Updated: May 22, 2026
07:08
Investigating Object Representations in the Macaque Dorsal Visual Stream Using Single-unit Recordings
Published on: August 1, 2018
Neural representations of unfamiliar objects are modulated by sensorimotor experience
Christian Bellebaum1, Marco Tettamanti, Elisa Marchetta
1Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany. christian.bellebaum@rub.de
Summary
Object manipulation training enhances neural representations more than visual exploration. This suggests sensorimotor experience shapes how the brain stores knowledge about objects in semantic memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Semantic Memory
Background:
- Object representations in semantic memory are thought to reflect sensory and functional experiences.
- Understanding how different types of sensorimotor experiences shape neural object representations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of visual exploration versus active manipulation on neural representations of novel objects.
- To determine if object-related sensorimotor experience influences the formation of semantic memory.
Main Methods:
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to assess brain activity in 16 subjects.
- Subjects underwent training with novel objects, involving either visual exploration (VTO) or active manipulation (MTO).
- Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM) analyzed effective connectivity between brain regions.
Main Results:
- Both visual training objects (VTO) and manipulation training objects (MTO) showed increased fronto-parietal cortex activation post-training.
- Higher post-training activity was observed in the left inferior/middle frontal gyrus and left posterior inferior parietal lobule for MTO compared to VTO and NTO (no training objects).
- DCM indicated that MTO led to increased connectivity, while VTO resulted in down-regulation of a fronto-parietal tool use network.
Conclusions:
- The modality of sensorimotor experience significantly influences the formation of neural representations in semantic memory.
- Active manipulation experience specifically enhances neural representations in fronto-parietal regions compared to visual exploration.
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