Novel domain formation reveals proto-architecture in inferotemporal cortex

Abstract

Primate inferotemporal cortex is subdivided into domains for biologically important categories, like faces, bodies, and scenes, as well as domains for culturally entrained categories, like text or buildings. These domains are in stereotyped locations in most humans and monkeys. To ask what determines the location of such domains, we intensively trained 7 juvenile monkeys to recognize 3 distinct sets of shapes. After training, the monkeys developed regions that were selectively responsive to each trained set. The location of each specialization was similar across monkeys, despite differences in training order. This indicates that the location of training effects does not depend on function or expertise, but rather some kind of proto-organization. We explore the possibility that this proto-organization is retinotopic or shape-based.

Music and words in the visual cortex: The impact of musical expertise

“…Similarly to Srihasam et al (2014), we would argue that the observed pattern of selectivity for music versus words is likely related to innate constraints underlying the mosaic of occipitotemporal category-selectivity. Srihasam et al (2014) put forward such candidate constraints by showing that category-selective areas differ in their sensitivity to central vs peripheral location, and to curvy vs straight shapes. At present, the logic underlying the functional organization of the occipitotemporal cortex is not understood with sufficient detail to allow us to understand the precise location of activations to words and music, one may point to both visual commonalities and differences between the two systems.…”

“…Identical reinforcement rules were used for the 3 sets of stimuli, showing that regional segregation was not a result of task-related function. Srihasam et al (2014) also showed that activations were identically located irrespective of the order in which the sets had been trained. Similarly to Srihasam et al (2014), we would argue that the observed pattern of selectivity for music versus words is likely related to innate constraints underlying the mosaic of occipitotemporal category-selectivity.…”

“…Srihasam et al (2014) also showed that activations were identically located irrespective of the order in which the sets had been trained. Similarly to Srihasam et al (2014), we would argue that the observed pattern of selectivity for music versus words is likely related to innate constraints underlying the mosaic of occipitotemporal category-selectivity. Srihasam et al (2014) put forward such candidate constraints by showing that category-selective areas differ in their sensitivity to central vs peripheral location, and to curvy vs straight shapes.…”

“…3 of the three sets, at reproducible locations within the occipitotemporal cortex (Srihasam et al, 2012;Srihasam et al, 2014). In humans, there is also evidence for segregated activations for letters and numerals in the fusiform gyrus (Polk et al, 2002;Shum et al, 2013;Abboud et al, 2015), and for Chinese vs alphabetic stimuli in the early visual cortex (Szwed et al, 2014).…”

“…Srihasam et al (2014) trained monkeys at identifying alphabetic symbols, Tetris-like geometrical shapes, and sketchy cartoon faces. Following training, monkeys developed regions selective for each of the three sets, at reproducible locations within the occipitotemporal cortex.…”