Neural connections in the face processing network

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Neural connections in the face processing network
David Pitcher, Vincent Walsh, Joe Devlin, Brad
Duchaine
Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and
Department of Psychology
University College London
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Neural connections in the face processing network
Faces are processed in a distributed network of
neural regions. These regions are believed to
perform different functions.
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Neural connections in the face processing network
Faces are processed in a distributed network of
neural regions. These regions are believed to
perform different functions.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
(rTMS) targeted at the IOG (also called the right
occipital face area - rOFA) can impair accurate
discrimination of face component parts.
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Neural connections in the face processing network
Proposed fMRI \ thetaburst TMS study
Aim Investigate the proposed neural connections
between the right occipital face area and the
right fusiform gyrus. Method Target the right
OFA with thetaburst TMS and then measure face
adaptation in the right fusiform gyrus using
fMRI. Participants 12 neurologically normal.
First scanning session High resolution
structural and localizer.
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Neural connections in the face processing network
Proposed fMRI \ thetaburst TMS study

• Second scanning session
• Participants perform face \ chair adaptation
  task.
• 2. Target right occipital face area (rOFA) with
  45 seconds of thetaburst TMS.
• 3. Re-enter scanner and repeat face detection /
  adaptation task.