Face Patch Resting State Networks Link Face Processing to Social Cognition.

TitleFace Patch Resting State Networks Link Face Processing to Social Cognition.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsSchwiedrzik, CM, Zarco, W, Everling, S, Freiwald, WA
JournalPLoS Biology
Volume13
Issue9
Paginatione1002245
Date Published09/2015
ISSN1545-7885
KeywordsFace recognition, neural nerworks, prefrontal cortex, social cognition
Abstract

Faces transmit a wealth of social information. How this information is exchanged between face-processing centers and brain areas supporting social cognition remains largely unclear. Here we identify these routes using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging in macaque monkeys. We find that face areas functionally connect to specific regions within frontal, temporal, and parietal cortices, as well as subcortical structures supporting emotive, mnemonic, and cognitive functions. This establishes the existence of an extended face-recognition system in the macaque. Furthermore, the face patch resting state networks and the default mode network in monkeys show a pattern of overlap akin to that between the social brain and the default mode network in humans: this overlap specifically includes the posterior superior temporal sulcus, medial parietal, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, areas supporting high-level social cognition in humans. Together, these results reveal the embedding of face areas into larger brain networks and suggest that the resting state networks of the face patch system offer a new, easily accessible venue into the functional organization of the social brain and into the evolution of possibly uniquely human social skills.

URLhttp://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.1002245
DOI10.1371/journal.pbio.1002245
Alternate JournalPLoS Biol.
PubMed ID26348613
PubMed Central IDPMC4562659
Grant ListF05MH094113 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
MOP 125982 / / Canadian Institutes of Health Research / Canada
R01 EY021594 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States
R01 EY021594-01A1 / EY / NEI NIH HHS / United States

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CBMM Relationship: 

  • CBMM Funded