Quantifying the variability of scene-selective regions: Interindividual, interhemispheric, and sex differences

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Brain Imaging

Background:

• Scene-selective regions (SSRs), such as the parahippocampal place area (PPA), retrosplenial cortex (RSC), and transverse occipital sulcus (TOS), are crucial for visual scene processing.
• Previous research has primarily focused on commonalities within SSRs, neglecting their variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate interindividual, interhemispheric, and sex differences in the topographical and functional variability of SSRs.
• To create the first probabilistic atlases for SSRs to aid future research on the scene network.

Main Methods:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed in a large cohort of 202 healthy adults.
• Manual delineation of the PPA, RSC, and TOS was performed for each participant.
• Analysis focused on spatial topography and functional selectivity, examining interindividual, interhemispheric, and sex-based variations.

Main Results:

• Substantial interindividual variability was observed in the spatial topography and functional selectivity of SSRs.
• Consistent interhemispheric differences were found in SSR spatial topography, alongside distinct interhemispheric differences in scene selectivity.
• Men exhibited stronger scene selectivity in all three SSRs compared to women.

Conclusions:

• This study comprehensively characterizes the variability within SSRs, offering insights into the neural basis of scene perception.
• The developed probabilistic SSR atlases serve as a valuable anatomical reference for future investigations of the scene network.
• Further research is warranted to explore the origins and functional implications of observed SSR variabilities.