Cortical Thickness in Fusiform Face Area Predicts Face and Object Recognition Performance.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• The fusiform face area (FFA) is primarily known for its role in face recognition.
• Previous studies suggest FFA activity predicts behavioral performance with nonface objects, but attention differences could explain this.
• This study investigates if FFA expertise effects for nonface objects exist independently of attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if expertise with nonface objects influences the FFA independently of attention.
• To explore the relationship between FFA cortical thickness and recognition of faces and objects.
• To investigate the domain-general role of the FFA in object perception.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to define FFA regions.
• Cortical thickness of the FFA was measured in male participants with expertise in cars.
• Behavioral performance was assessed using the Cambridge Face Memory Test and Vanderbilt Expertise Test.

Main Results:

• FFA cortical thickness correlated with performance on both face and object recognition tasks, accounting for ~40% of the variance.
• Thicker FFA cortex was associated with better performance on vehicle recognition.
• Thinner FFA cortex was associated with better performance on face and living object recognition.

Conclusions:

• The fusiform face area (FFA) plays a domain-general role in object perception, not limited to faces.
• A double dissociation was observed, distinguishing between living and nonliving object recognition within the FFA.
• Expertise effects in the FFA for nonface objects are not solely attributable to differential attention.