Distinct representations of eye gaze and identity in the distributed human neural system for face perception

doi:10.1038/71152

Paper

Distinct representations of eye gaze and identity in the distributed human neural system for face perception

Published 2000 · E. Hoffman, J. Haxby

Nature Neuroscience

Q1 SJR score

1,269

Citations

81

Influential Citations

Full text Semantic Scholar

Abstract

Face perception requires representation of invariant aspects that underlie identity recognition as well as representation of changeable aspects, such as eye gaze and expression, that facilitate social communication. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the perception of face identity and eye gaze in the human brain. Perception of face identity was mediated more by regions in the inferior occipital and fusiform gyri, and perception of eye gaze was mediated more by regions in the superior temporal sulci. Eye-gaze perception also seemed to recruit the spatial cognition system in the intraparietal sulcus to encode the direction of another's gaze and to focus attention in that direction.

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

Key takeawayPerception of face identity is mediated by regions in the inferior occipital and fusiform gyri, while eye gaze perception is mediated by regions in the superior temporal sulci, with spatial cognition systems in the intraparietal sulcus also involved.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

Consensus is limited without an account. Create an account or sign in to get more searches and use the Study Snapshot.

Create an account

Paper

Distinct representations of eye gaze and identity in the distributed human neural system for face perception

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

References

ERPS EVOKED BY VIEWING FACIAL MOVEMENTS

The bilateral temporal cortex is sensitive to facial movements, suggesting a specialized system for facial gesture analysis and social attention.

Electrophysiological studies of human face perception. II: Response properties of face-specific potentials generated in occipitotemporal cortex.

N200 evokes larger N200s for full faces, with the right hemisphere better at processing upright faces and the left hemisphere better at processing inverted faces, and faces with eyes averted or closed evoke larger N200s than faces with eyes forward.

The human amygdala plays an important role in gaze monitoring. A PET study.

The human amygdala plays a role in reading social signals from the face, with the left amygdala generalizing eye gaze direction and the right amygdala specifically activating during eye-contact tasks.

The Effect of Face Inversion on Activity in Human Neural Systems for Face and Object Perception

Face inversion leads to increased activity in object perception systems, but not in face perception systems, suggesting that inverted faces are processed by object perception mechanisms rather than face perception mechanisms.

Stimulus inversion and the responses of face and object-sensitive cortical areas.

Inverted faces evoke greater neural responses in object regions compared to upright faces, supporting the idea that object areas play a greater role in perceiving inverted faces compared to upright faces.

Citations

Is there a brain area dedicated to socially guided spatial attention?

The Gaze following patch in the posterior temporal cortex may be a domain-specific brain area for socially guided spatial attention, potentially aiding in the attribution of mental states to others.

Neuroimaging Insights into Autism Spectrum Disorder: Structural and Functional Brain

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is linked to reduced gray matter in key brain areas and reduced connectivity within critical brain networks, suggesting targeted training can improve social skills.

Exploring the spatial interference effects elicited by social and non-social targets: A conditional accuracy function approach.

Gaze targets show a reversed congruency effect, with faster responses when aligned with their location, while non-social targets show stable accuracy across the distribution.

Bidirectional and Cross-Hemispheric Modulations of Face-Selective Neural Activity Induced by Electrical Stimulation within the Human Cortical Face Network

Electrical stimulation in the human cortical face network can reduce face-selective neural activity, revealing bidirectional and cross-hemispheric connections between core regions and the anterior temporal lobe.

Face processing in animal models: implications for autism spectrum disorder

Face processing is crucial for social and language development, and deficits in this ability are a reliable biomarker of autism spectrum disorder.

Binocularly suppressed stimuli induce brain activities related to aesthetic emotions

Aesthetic emotions are of evolutionary significance for humans, with distinct neural pathways arousing them in biological and non-biological categories, and these responses are influenced by consciousness.

Idiosyncratic patterns of interhemispheric connectivity in the face and scene networks of the human brain

Interhemispheric connectivity in the face and scene networks is specific to each individual, potentially explaining individual differences in perception.