Understanding human individuation of unfamiliar faces with oddball fast periodic visual stimulation and electroencephalography

in European Journal of Neuroscience (2020)

To investigate face individuation (FI), a critical brain function in the human species, an oddball fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) approach was recently introduced (Liu‐Shuang et al ... [more ▼]

To investigate face individuation (FI), a critical brain function in the human species, an oddball fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) approach was recently introduced (Liu‐Shuang et al., Neuropsychologia, 2014, 52, 57). In this paradigm, an image of an unfamiliar “base” facial identity is repeated at a rapid rate F (e.g., 6 Hz) and different unfamiliar “oddball” facial identities are inserted every nth item, at a F/n rate (e.g., every 5th item, 1.2 Hz). This stimulation elicits FI responses at F/n and its harmonics (2F/n, 3F/n, etc.), reflecting neural discrimination between oddball versus base facial identities, which is quantified in the frequency domain of the electroencephalogram (EEG). This paradigm, used in 20 published studies, demonstrates substantial advantages for measuring FI in terms of validity, objectivity, reliability, and sensitivity. Human intracerebral recordings suggest that this FI response originates from neural populations in the lateral inferior occipital and fusiform gyri, with a right hemispheric dominance consistent with the localization of brain lesions specifically affecting facial identity recognition (prosopagnosia). Here, we summarize the contributions of the oddball FPVS framework toward understanding FI, including its (a)typical development, with early studies supporting the application of this technique to clinical testing (e.g., autism spectrum disorder). This review also includes an in‐depth analysis of the paradigm's methodology, with guidelines for designing future studies. A large‐scale group analysis compiling data across 130 observers provides insights into the oddball FPVS FI response properties. Overall, we recommend the oddball FPVS paradigm as an alternative approach to behavioral or traditional event‐related potential EEG measures of face individuation. [less ▲]

Dynamics underlying interictal to ictal transition in temporal lobe epilepsy: insights from a neural mass model

in European Journal of Neuroscience (2017)

Peripheral and central alterations affecting spinal nociceptive processing and pain at adulthood in rats exposed to neonatal maternal deprivation

in European Journal of Neuroscience (2016)

Peripheral and central alterations affecting spinal nociceptive processing and pain at adulthood in rats exposed to maternal separation

in European Journal of Neuroscience (2016)

PET study of human voluntary saccadic eye movements in darkness: Effect of task repetition on the activation pattern

in European Journal of Neuroscience (1998), 10

Using H2(15)O 3D Positron Emission Tomography (PET), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in six human subjects under two different conditions: at rest and while performing self-paced ... [more ▼]

Using H2(15)O 3D Positron Emission Tomography (PET), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured in six human subjects under two different conditions: at rest and while performing self-paced horizontal saccadic eye movements in darkness. These two conditions were repeated four times each. First, the comparison between the four saccadic and four resting conditions was investigated in a group and a single subject analysis. Saccades elicited bilateral rCBF increases in the medial part of the superior frontal gyrus (supplementary eye field), precentral gyrus (frontal eye field), superior parietal lobule, anterior medial part of the occipital lobe involving striate and extrastriate cortex (lingual gyrus and cuneus), and in the right inferior parietal lobule. At the subcortical level, activations were found in the left putamen. These results mainly replicate previous PET findings on saccadic control. Second, the interaction between the experimental conditions and their repetition was examined. When activations throughout repetition of the same saccadic task are compared, the supplementary eye fields show a progressive increase of activation. On the contrary, the activation in the cerebellum, left superior parietal lobule and left occipital cortex progressively decreases during the scanning session. Given the existence of such an interaction, the pattern of activations must be interpreted as a function of task repetition. This may be a factor explaining some apparent mismatch between different studies. [less ▲]

Colocalization of somatostatin and substance P in articular afferents of the cat

in European Journal of Neuroscience (1991), 4(Suppl. 4), 131

Distribution of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide in articular afferent neurons

in European Journal of Neuroscience (1989), (Suppl. 2), 69