Single-cell selectivity and functional architecture of human lateral occipital complex

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Visual Perception
• Human Brain Imaging

Background:

• The human lateral occipital complex (LOC) is known to activate for object images versus scrambled stimuli.
• Detailed neuronal-level information regarding LOC function remains limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neuronal properties of the human LOC, specifically its posterior subsector.
• To clarify the LOC's position within the visual processing hierarchy.

Main Methods:

• Microelectrode array recordings were performed in the LOC of two human patients.
• Single-unit, multi-unit, and high-gamma responses to object images were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Neuronal recordings demonstrated highly selective responses to object images.
• LOC neurons exhibited long response latencies, spatially clustered shape selectivity, and large, bilateral receptive fields.
• A subset of LOC neurons showed three-dimensional (3D)-structure selectivity.

Conclusions:

• The posterior LOC occupies a higher position in the visual processing hierarchy than previously assumed.
• Findings challenge current models of visual processing streams, particularly the role of the posterior LOC.
• Neuronal properties suggest the posterior LOC functions as an end-stage ventral stream area.