1
|
Baulina M, Kosonogov V. "Calculating faces": can face perception paradigms enrich dyscalculia research? Front Psychol 2024; 14:1218124. [PMID: 38235284 PMCID: PMC10791763 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1218124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental dyscalculia (DD) is a subtype of learning disabilities, which is characterized by lower mathematical skills despite average intelligence and average or satisfactory performance in other academic areas. It is not fully understood how such deficits emerge in the course of brain development. When considering the mechanisms of dyscalculia, two domain-specific systems are distinguished. The Approximate Number System (ANS) is related to the approximate estimation of large sets, and the Object Tracking System (OTS) is responsible for subitizing, that is, the exact quantification of small sets. In recent years, the multiple-deficit framework has become increasingly popular. On the one hand, it explains the impairment of certain general cognitive functions in children with DD, such as executive functions, attention, visual-perceptual discrimination, processing speed, and rapid scanning of visual information. On the other hand, it provides a theoretical basis for explaining the simultaneous occurrence of the different types of other comorbid conditions (such as dyslexia and ADHD) and the relationship between them. We suggest that the face recognition could be considered as another, probably impaired function in dyscalculic individuals. We highlight several brain areas involved both in numerical and facial processing: intraparietal sulcus (IPS), fusiform gyrus (FFG), and hippocampus (HC). We consider the possibility of expanding the scope of dyscalculia research by application of face perception paradigms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Baulina
- Laboratory of Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, Federal Scientific Center of Psychological and Multidisciplinary Research, Moscow, Russia
- International Laboratory of Social Neurobiology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Kosonogov
- International Laboratory of Social Neurobiology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tarchi P, Lanini MC, Frassineti L, Lanatà A. Real and Deepfake Face Recognition: An EEG Study on Cognitive and Emotive Implications. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1233. [PMID: 37759834 PMCID: PMC10526392 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain's role in face processing (FP) and decision making for social interactions depends on recognizing faces accurately. However, the prevalence of deepfakes, AI-generated images, poses challenges in discerning real from synthetic identities. This study investigated healthy individuals' cognitive and emotional engagement in a visual discrimination task involving real and deepfake human faces expressing positive, negative, or neutral emotions. Electroencephalographic (EEG) data were collected from 23 healthy participants using a 21-channel dry-EEG headset; power spectrum and event-related potential (ERP) analyses were performed. Results revealed statistically significant activations in specific brain areas depending on the authenticity and emotional content of the stimuli. Power spectrum analysis highlighted a right-hemisphere predominance in theta, alpha, high-beta, and gamma bands for real faces, while deepfakes mainly affected the frontal and occipital areas in the delta band. ERP analysis hinted at the possibility of discriminating between real and synthetic faces, as N250 (200-300 ms after stimulus onset) peak latency decreased when observing real faces in the right frontal (LF) and left temporo-occipital (LTO) areas, but also within emotions, as P100 (90-140 ms) peak amplitude was found higher in the right temporo-occipital (RTO) area for happy faces with respect to neutral and sad ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Tarchi
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (P.T.); (M.C.L.); (L.F.)
| | - Maria Chiara Lanini
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (P.T.); (M.C.L.); (L.F.)
| | - Lorenzo Frassineti
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (P.T.); (M.C.L.); (L.F.)
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Lanatà
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (P.T.); (M.C.L.); (L.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gu L, Li A, Yang R, Yang J, Pang Y, Qu J, Mei L. Category-specific and category-general neural codes of recognition memory in the ventral visual pathway. Cortex 2023; 164:77-89. [PMID: 37207411 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have identified category-specific brain regions, such as the fusiform face area (FFA) and parahippocampal place area (PPA) in the ventral visual pathway, which respond preferentially to one particular category of visual objects. In addition to their category-specific role in visual object identification and categorization, regions in the ventral visual pathway play critical roles in recognition memory. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether the contributions of those brain regions to recognition memory are category-specific or category-general. To address this question, the present study adopted a subsequent memory paradigm and multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) to explore category-specific and category-general neural codes of recognition memory in the visual pathway. The results revealed that the right FFA and the bilateral PPA showed category-specific neural patterns supporting recognition memory of faces and scenes, respectively. In contrast, the lateral occipital cortex seemed to carry category-general neural codes of recognition memory. These results provide neuroimaging evidence for category-specific and category-general neural mechanisms of recognition memory in the ventral visual pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lala Gu
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aqian Li
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiayi Yang
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingdan Pang
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Qu
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Leilei Mei
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee SM, Tibon R, Zeidman P, Yadav PS, Henson R. Effects of face repetition on ventral visual stream connectivity using dynamic causal modelling of fMRI data. Neuroimage 2022; 264:119708. [PMID: 36280098 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Stimulus repetition normally causes reduced neural activity in brain regions that process that stimulus. Some theories claim that this "repetition suppression" reflects local mechanisms such as neuronal fatigue or sharpening within a region, whereas other theories claim that it results from changed connectivity between regions, following changes in synchrony or top-down predictions. In this study, we applied dynamic causal modeling (DCM) on a public fMRI dataset involving repeated presentations of faces and scrambled faces to test whether repetition affected local (self-connections) and/or between-region connectivity in left and right early visual cortex (EVC), occipital face area (OFA) and fusiform face area (FFA). Face "perception" (faces versus scrambled faces) modulated nearly all connections, within and between regions, including direct connections from EVC to FFA, supporting a non-hierarchical view of face processing. Face "recognition" (familiar versus unfamiliar faces) modulated connections between EVC and OFA/FFA, particularly in the left hemisphere. Most importantly, immediate and delayed repetition of stimuli were also best captured by modulations of connections between EVC and OFA/FFA, but not self-connections of OFA/FFA, consistent with synchronization or predictive coding theories, though also possibly reflecting local mechanisms like synaptic depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Mu Lee
- Taiwan International Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, National Cheng Kung University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan; MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Roni Tibon
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Zeidman
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pranay S Yadav
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Henson
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Axelrod V, Rozier C, Malkinson TS, Lehongre K, Adam C, Lambrecq V, Navarro V, Naccache L. Face-selective multi-unit activity in the proximity of the FFA modulated by facial expression stimuli. Neuropsychologia 2022; 170:108228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
6
|
Haeger A, Pouzat C, Luecken V, N’Diaye K, Elger C, Kennerknecht I, Axmacher N, Dinkelacker V. Face Processing in Developmental Prosopagnosia: Altered Neural Representations in the Fusiform Face Area. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:744466. [PMID: 34867227 PMCID: PMC8636799 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.744466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Face expertise is a pivotal social skill. Developmental prosopagnosia (DP), i.e., the inability to recognize faces without a history of brain damage, affects about 2% of the general population, and is a renowned model system of the face-processing network. Within this network, the right Fusiform Face Area (FFA), is particularly involved in face identity processing and may therefore be a key element in DP. Neural representations within the FFA have been examined with Representational Similarity Analysis (RSA), a data-analytical framework in which multi-unit measures of brain activity are assessed with correlation analysis. Objectives: Our study intended to scrutinize modifications of FFA-activation during face encoding and maintenance based on RSA. Methods: Thirteen participants with DP (23-70 years) and 12 healthy control subjects (19-62 years) participated in a functional MRI study, including morphological MRI, a functional FFA-localizer and a modified Sternberg paradigm probing face memory encoding and maintenance. Memory maintenance of one, two, or four faces represented low, medium, and high memory load. We examined conventional activation differences in response to working memory load and applied RSA to compute individual correlation-matrices on the voxel level. Group correlation-matrices were compared via Donsker's random walk analysis. Results: On the functional level, increased memory load entailed both a higher absolute FFA-activation level and a higher degree of correlation between activated voxels. Both aspects were deficient in DP. Interestingly, control participants showed a homogeneous degree of correlation for successful trials during the experiment. In DP-participants, correlation levels between FFA-voxels were significantly lower and were less sustained during the experiment. In behavioral terms, DP-participants performed poorer and had longer reaction times in relation to DP-severity. Furthermore, correlation levels were negatively correlated with reaction times for the most demanding high load condition. Conclusion: We suggest that participants with DP fail to generate robust and maintained neural representations in the FFA during face encoding and maintenance, in line with poorer task performance and prolonged reaction times. In DP, alterations of neural coding in the FFA might therefore explain curtailing in working memory and contribute to impaired long-term memory and mental imagery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Haeger
- JARA-BRAIN, Jülich, Germany
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-11), Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | - Karim N’Diaye
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | - Ingo Kennerknecht
- Institute of Human Genetics, Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Nikolai Axmacher
- Department of Neuropsychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vera Dinkelacker
- Neurology Department, Hautepierre Hospital, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
- Rothschild Foundation, Neurology Department, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|