A neural network reflecting decisions about human faces

Neuron. 2001 Dec 6;32(5):947-55. doi: 10.1016/s0896-6273(01)00519-0.

Abstract

Anatomic structures have been linked to the mnemonic component of working memory, but the neural network underlying associated decision processes remains elusive. Here we present an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging study that measured activity during the decision period of a delayed face recognition task. A double dissociation of activity between anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and a network including left fusiform face area (FFA) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), reflected whether a probe face matched the remembered face at the time of decision. Greater activity in the left FFA and left DLPFC correlated with probe faces that matched the remembered face; in contrast, activity in ACC was greater when the probe face did not match the remembered face. These results support a model where frontal regions act in concert with stimulus-specific temporal structures to make recognition decisions about visual stimuli.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology
  • Decision Making / physiology*
  • Face*
  • Gyrus Cinguli / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology