Submillimeter fMRI reveals an extensive, fine-grained and functionally-relevant scene-processing network in monkeys.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Primate Vision
• Cortical Networks

Background:

• Primates possess a specialized cortical network for visual scene processing, essential for navigation and object retrieval.
• Prior research indicated this network comprises 3-5 cortical regions in humans and monkeys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the extent and organization of the scene-processing network in macaques using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To determine the functional connectivity and relevance of identified scene-selective regions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized submillimeter resolution fMRI (0.22 mm³ voxels) with two distinct, controlled stimulus sets in macaques.
• Employed resting-state fMRI to examine intrinsic functional connectivity within the scene-processing network.

Main Results:

• Identified a significantly more extensive scene-processing network in macaques, comprising eleven core scene-selective patches across all cerebral lobes, with notable elaboration in the frontal cortex.
• Discovered five additional non-core scene-selective patches responsive only to familiar places.
• Resting-state fMRI revealed an intrinsically connected network of frontal and temporo-parietal scene-selective patches, segregated from other category-selective networks.

Conclusions:

• The macaque scene-processing system is substantially more complex than previously understood, featuring interconnected patches throughout all cortical lobes.
• The functional connectivity within this network predicts scene responses, highlighting its functional relevance for visual scene perception.