Face‐sensitive cortical processing in early infancy

Abstract

We conclude that there is some degree of specificity of cortical processing of faces as early as 3 months of age.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…As we have discussed earlier in this chapter, research on face processing and brain activity in typical individuals has concluded that there is a specific area in the brain that is activated when individuals are presented with face stimuli (Farah, 1996;Elgar & Campbell, 2001;Halit et al, 2004). It is well established that when hemispheric asymmetry for face processing is observed, the right rather than the left hemisphere is implicated in face processing, and specifically the middle part of the right fusiform gyrus shows activation and has been named 'Fusiform Face Area' (FFA) (Elgar & Campbell, 2001) (See Chapter 2 for details).…”

“…In a similar line of research, more recently Halit et al (2004) argued that, while evidence from behavioural studies has been useful in testing hypotheses about the typical and atypical development of face processing, issues related to neural specialisation can most directly be addressed through functional neuroimaging. In other words, only by studying and recording event-related potentials (ERPs) someone is able to determine the specificity or otherwise of cortical processing of faces.…”

“…In other words, only by studying and recording event-related potentials (ERPs) someone is able to determine the specificity or otherwise of cortical processing of faces. Halit et al (2004) investigated and recorded the ERPs in both adults and 3-month-old infants while they watched faces and matched visual noise stimuli. Interestingly, it was concluded that "the present results when taken together with previous ERP results comparing faces to objects, establishes conclusively that by 3 months there is some degree of specialisation of cortical processing of faces" (Halit et al, 2004).…”

“…Halit et al (2004) investigated and recorded the ERPs in both adults and 3-month-old infants while they watched faces and matched visual noise stimuli. Interestingly, it was concluded that "the present results when taken together with previous ERP results comparing faces to objects, establishes conclusively that by 3 months there is some degree of specialisation of cortical processing of faces" (Halit et al, 2004). This specialisation develops over the years and it appears to be the case that in both infants and children face processing activates a greater extent of cortical tissue than in adults.…”

“…There is a great deal evidence to support the notion that this area in the brain is activated when participants are presented with face stimuli, and it is so specific to faces that it will not respond to animal or human images or body parts (Kanwisher et al, 1997;Elgar & Campbell, 2001;Halit et al, 2004;Yovel & Kanwisher, 2004). Despite evidence which suggested that the FFA is not a face area but rather an expertise area , the right fusiform gyrus is still found as the area most activated when humans are presented with facial stimuli (for detailed discussion refer to Chapter 2, section 2.4.7.…”