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. 2010 Oct;48(12):3657-60.
doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.07.020. Epub 2010 Jul 21.

Face-related ERPs are modulated by point of gaze

James McPartland  1 , Celeste H M Cheung, Danielle Perszyk, Linda C Mayes
Affiliations

Face-related ERPs are modulated by point of gaze

James McPartland et al. Neuropsychologia. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of gaze fixation on face-sensitive ERPs. A fixation crosshair presented prior to face onset directed visual attention to upper, central, or lower face regions while ERPs were recorded. This manipulation modulated a face-sensitive component (N170) but not an early sensory component (P1). Upper and lower face fixations elicited enhanced N170 amplitude and longer N170 latency. Results expand upon extant hemodynamic research by demonstrating early effects at basic stages of face processing. These findings distinguish attention to facial features in context from attention to isolated features, and they inform electrophysiological studies of face processing in clinical populations.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example face stimulus with overlaid crosshair displaying (a) upper, (b) central, and (c) lower positions. A fourth fixation condition entailed (d) no crosshair display. Note that, during the experiment, the crosshair preceded presentation of faces without overlap.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Grand averaged ERP waveforms depicting response to houses and faces. Data shown are averaged across the 12 electrodes of interest across hemispheres, and fixation conditions are collapsed.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Grand averaged ERP waveforms depicting response to faces when point of gaze was directed to upper face, central face, lower face, and when point of gaze was not directed with a fixation crosshair. Data shown are averaged over the 12 electrodes of interest across hemispheres.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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