Cite as:
Dudkin K N, Chueva I V, Makarov F N, 2000, "Face-specific processes during visual discrimination learning in monkeys with bilateral cortex lesions" Perception 29 ECVP Abstract Supplement

Face-specific processes during visual discrimination learning in monkeys with bilateral cortex lesions

K N Dudkin, I V Chueva, F N Makarov

To identify a possible cortical mechanism in rhesus monkeys intended for face recognition, we studied the characteristics of learning processes involving visual discrimination of stimuli with different animal body parts and faces, as well as with various spatial relationships between these body parts. The prefrontal cortex sulcus principalis was removed bilaterally in animals of one group, and the parietal cortex 7 area was removed bilaterally in monkeys of another group. The remaining animals served as unoperated controls.

Monkeys' decisions and motor reaction times were recorded. Bilateral extirpation of sulcus principalis did not influence learning characteristics for different animal faces, nor for various spatial relationship between these body parts. After bilateral lesions of the parietal cortex 7 area, these learning characteristics for different animal body parts also were not changed; however, learning to discriminate different spatial relationships between animal faces and body parts was dramatically impaired.

From the above results and the learning deficit shown recently after the bilateral lesions of sulcus principalis for visual discrimination learning of nonface objects and their spatial relationships (Chueva et al 1999 Perception 28 Supplement, 92a), we suggest the existence of a special mechanism of face recognition separate from nonface object-recognition structures.

[Supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant 99-04-49645.]

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