Separate Coding of Different Gaze Directions in the Brain
Author Information
Author(s): Calder Andrew J., Beaver John D., Winston Joel S., Dolan Ray J., Jenkins Rob, Eger Evelyn, Henson Richard N.A.
Primary Institution: Medical Research Council, Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
Hypothesis
If different gaze directions are coded by separate STS cell populations, then adapting to one gaze direction should produce reduced activation to probe faces gazing in the same direction.
Conclusion
The study provides the first human evidence that left and right gaze directions are coded by distinct neuronal populations in the right anterior STS.
Supporting Evidence
- Subjects misidentified averted gaze in the adapted direction as direct.
- The anterior STS showed a significant effect of adaptation.
- The right inferior parietal lobule also showed a similar pattern of activation.
Takeaway
This study shows that our brains have different areas that respond to looking left or right, just like monkeys do.
Methodology
The study used fMRI adaptation to investigate brain responses to different gaze directions in subjects viewing faces.
Limitations
The study's sample size was relatively small, and two subjects' data were discarded due to equipment failure.
Participant Demographics
16 right-handed healthy volunteers, 7 females and 7 males, mean age 22.7 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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