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Simultaneous EEG-fMRI reveals attention-dependent coupling of early face processing with a distributed cortical
Mareike Bayer1, Michael T Rubens2, Tom Johnstone2
1Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, The University of Reading, Reading, UK.
Biological Psychology
|December 17, 2017
Summary
Early visual processing impacts face perception networks. This effect is modulated by attention, with top-down attention gating bottom-up processing during face perception tasks.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Visual Perception
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Understanding face perception relies on visual processing speed.
- The influence of early visual processing on distributed face networks and top-down modulation is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate cortical activity linked to face processing ERP components (C1, P1, N170, P3).
- Examine how sustained attention and cognitive conflict affect bottom-up processing in face perception.
Main Methods:
- Simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Utilized an emotional face-word Stroop task with manipulated attention.
- Analyzed covariation between ERP components and brain activation.
Main Results:
- Early visual processing ERPs (within 100 ms) correlated with activity in precuneus, posterior cingulate, temporal, frontal, and parietal-occipital regions.
- This covariation was dependent on sustained attention.
- The effect was absent during incongruent trials, indicating top-down modulation.
Conclusions:
- Early visual processing significantly impacts higher-order face processing mechanisms.
- Top-down attention flexibly gates bottom-up visual processing during face perception.
