Prediction error processing and sharpening of expected information across the face-processing hierarchy.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Computational Neuroscience

Background:

• Sensory perception is heavily influenced by prior expectations.
• The brain integrates prior and sensory information through mechanisms like prediction error (PE) processing and sharpened representations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural mechanisms of expectation integration during face perception.
• To differentiate between prediction error processing and sharpened representations using computational modeling and fMRI.

Main Methods:

• Employed deep neural networks and representational similarity analysis (RSA) of fMRI data.
• Used ambiguous face stimuli (face morphs) to probe the influence of prior expectations.
• Analyzed neural activity across the face-processing hierarchy.

Main Results:

• Expected faces were identified faster, and perception of ambiguous faces shifted towards priors.
• Evidence for prediction error processing was found across the occipital face area (OFA), fusiform face area (FFA), and anterior temporal lobe (ATL).
• Sharpened representations were suggested in the OFA.

Conclusions:

• The brain integrates prior expectations into face perception.
• Both prediction error processing and sharpened representations contribute to this integration.
• Findings support a model where face representation is grounded in prior expectations.