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Early visual experience and face processing

Author

Listed:
  • Richard Le Grand

    (McMaster University)

  • Catherine J. Mondloch

    (McMaster University)

  • Daphne Maurer

    (McMaster University
    The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue)

  • Henry P. Brent

    (The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue)

Abstract

Adult-like expertise in processing face information takes years to develop1 and is mediated in part by specialized cortical mechanisms2 sensitive to the spacing of facial features (configural processing)3. Here we show that deprivation of patterned visual input from birth until 2–6 months of age results in permanent deficits in configural face processing. Even after more than nine years' recovery, patients treated for bilateral congenital cataracts were severely impaired at differentiating faces that differed only in the spacing of their features, but were normal in distinguishing those varying only in the shape of individual features. These findings indicate that early visual input is necessary for normal development of the neural architecture that will later specialize for configural processing of faces.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Le Grand & Catherine J. Mondloch & Daphne Maurer & Henry P. Brent, 2001. "Early visual experience and face processing," Nature, Nature, vol. 410(6831), pages 890-890, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:410:y:2001:i:6831:d:10.1038_35073749
    DOI: 10.1038/35073749
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    Cited by:

    1. Marisa Nordt & Jesse Gomez & Vaidehi S. Natu & Alex A. Rezai & Dawn Finzi & Holly Kular & Kalanit Grill-Spector, 2023. "Longitudinal development of category representations in ventral temporal cortex predicts word and face recognition," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    2. Sandra Utz & Claus-Christian Carbon, 2016. "Is the Thatcher Illusion Modulated by Face Familiarity? Evidence from an Eye Tracking Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, October.

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