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Distinct spatial frequency sensitivities for processing faces and emotional expressions

Nature Neuroscience volume 6, pages 624–631 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

High and low spatial frequency information in visual images is processed by distinct neural channels. Using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in humans, we show dissociable roles of such visual channels for processing faces and emotional fearful expressions. Neural responses in fusiform cortex, and effects of repeating the same face identity upon fusiform activity, were greater with intact or high-spatial-frequency face stimuli than with low-frequency faces, regardless of emotional expression. In contrast, amygdala responses to fearful expressions were greater for intact or low-frequency faces than for high-frequency faces. An activation of pulvinar and superior colliculus by fearful expressions occurred specifically with low-frequency faces, suggesting that these subcortical pathways may provide coarse fear-related inputs to the amygdala.

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Figure 1: Example stimuli.
Figure 2: Activation in extrastriate visual cortex, on the mean anatomical brain scan of participants.
Figure 3: Differential effects of spatial frequency in individual subjects.
Figure 4: Effects of face identity repetition in extrastriate cortex, on the mean anatomical brain scan of participants.
Figure 5: Activation in amygdala and subcortical pathways, on the mean anatomical brain scan of participants.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by Wellcome Programme grants (R.J.D. and J.D.), an MRC (UK) cooperative grant at University College London and a Swiss National Science Foundation grant (P.V.). J.D. holds a Royal Society-Wolfson Research Merit Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Neuroscience & Physiology, Laboratory for Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva Medical Center, 1 Michel-Servet, Geneva, 1211, Switzerland

    Patrik Vuilleumier

  2. Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3AR, UK

    Patrik Vuilleumier, Jorge L Armony & Jon Driver

  3. Douglas Hospital Research Centre, McGill University, 6875, Blvd. LaSalle, Verdun, H4H 1R3, Québec, Canada

    Jorge L Armony

  4. Wellcome Department of Imaging Neuroscience, University College London, 12 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK

    Raymond J Dolan

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Correspondence to Patrik Vuilleumier.

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Vuilleumier, P., Armony, J., Driver, J. et al. Distinct spatial frequency sensitivities for processing faces and emotional expressions. Nat Neurosci 6, 624–631 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1057

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