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Related Concept Videos

Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
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Facial Feedback Hypothesis01:24

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Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...
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Hindbrain
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Sutures of the Skull01:22

Sutures of the Skull

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Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

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Stella Chess...
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Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions
10:45

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

Published on: July 6, 2011

Fusiform face area development correlates with development in higher-order social brain regions.

Lorena Jiménez-Sánchez1, Melissa Thye1, Hilary Richardson1

  • 1Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
|June 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary

The fusiform face area (FFA) develops alongside other social brain regions, including the middle medial prefrontal cortex (MMPFC) and superior temporal sulcus (STS). This suggests interconnected development in early childhood for face processing.

Keywords:
Face selectivitydevelopmentfusiform face areapaediatric fMRIsocial cognition

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Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

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Correlating Behavioral Responses to fMRI Signals from Human Prefrontal Cortex: Examining Cognitive Processes Using Task Analysis
10:33

Correlating Behavioral Responses to fMRI Signals from Human Prefrontal Cortex: Examining Cognitive Processes Using Task Analysis

Published on: June 20, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

  • The fusiform face area (FFA) shows preferential responses to faces early in life.
  • Two hypotheses exist: 1) higher-order social regions (middle medial prefrontal cortex - MMPFC, superior temporal sulcus - STS) drive FFA development, or 2) an innate amygdala template guides attention to faces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental relationship between the FFA and other social brain regions (MMPFC, STS, amygdala) in children.
  • To test hypotheses about how face processing networks mature and interact during childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a cross-sectional fMRI movie-viewing dataset of children (3-12 years) and adults.
  • Measured functional maturity by comparing individual brain responses to an adult average timecourse.
  • Assessed correlations between FFA maturity and functional connectivity/maturity of MMPFC, STS, and amygdala.

Main Results:

  • Functional maturity increased with age across all studied regions (FFA, MMPFC, STS, amygdala).
  • More mature right FFA responses correlated with stronger right FFA-right MMPFC functional connectivity.
  • More mature FFA responses were associated with more mature bilateral STS responses.

Conclusions:

  • Provides preliminary evidence for the co-development of the FFA with higher-order social brain regions.
  • Suggests that FFA development is interconnected with the maturation of MMPFC and STS.
  • Findings support the role of social brain network interactions in the development of face specialization.