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Updated: Apr 16, 2026
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Analyzing Neural Activity and Connectivity Using Intracranial EEG Data with SPM Software
Published on: October 30, 2018
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Dissociable cortical pathways for qualitative and quantitative mechanisms in the face inversion effect
Daisuke Matsuyoshi1, Tomoyo Morita2, Takanori Kochiyama3
1Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi 444-8585, Japan, Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 153-8904, Japan, matsuyoshi@fennel.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp.
Summary
The face inversion effect, impacting how we recognize upside-down faces, involves distinct brain pathways for upright versus inverted recognition. This study reveals both qualitative and quantitative processing differences contribute to this effect.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Human Perception
Background:
- Human object recognition is generally robust to viewpoint changes.
- The face inversion effect (FIE) demonstrates impaired recognition of upside-down faces.
- Debate exists on whether FIE stems from distinct (qualitative) or degree-based (quantitative) processing differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the face inversion effect (FIE).
- To determine if qualitative or quantitative processing differences drive FIE.
- To elucidate the roles of specific brain regions and pathways in upright versus inverted face processing.
Main Methods:
- Employed dynamic causal modeling (DCM) with Bayesian model selection.
- Analyzed brain activity in a distributed network involved in face recognition.
- Examined effective connectivity between visual cortex (VC), occipital face area (OFA), fusiform face area (FFA), lateral occipital cortex (LO), and intraparietal sulcus.
Main Results:
- Upright faces showed suppressed connectivity from VC, OFA, and FFA to the object processing area LO.
- Inverted faces did not suppress LO connectivity but increased coupling to the intraparietal sulcus (visual working memory).
- Common pathways (VC-OFA) showed strong correlation between connectivity and behavioral FIE performance.
Conclusions:
- The face inversion effect (FIE) is mediated by dissociable cortical pathways.
- Both qualitative (distinct pathways) and quantitative (degree of processing) mechanisms contribute to FIE.
- Dynamic reorganization of effective connectivity underlies orientation-dependent face processing.
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