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Xiao NG, Ghersin H, Dombrowski ND, Boldin AM, Emberson LL. Infants' top-down perceptual modulation is specific to own-race faces. J Exp Child Psychol 2024; 242:105889. [PMID: 38442685 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2024.105889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed the influence of higher-level cognitive systems in modulating perceptual processing (top-down perceptual modulation) in infancy. However, more research is needed to understand how top-down processes in infant perception contribute to early perceptual development. To this end, this study examined infants' top-down perception of own- and other-race faces to reveal whether top-down modulation is linked to the emergence of perceptual specialization. Infants first learned an association between a sound and faces, with the race of the faces manipulated between groups (own race vs. other race). We then tested infants' face perception across various levels of perceptual difficulty (manipulated by presentation duration) and indexed top-down perception by the change in perception when infants heard the sound previously associated with the face (predictive sound) versus an irrelevant sound. Infants exhibited top-down face perception for own-race faces (Experiment 1). However, we present new evidence that infants did not show evidence of top-down modulation for other-race faces (Experiment 2), suggesting an experience-based specificity of this capacity with more effective top-down modulation in familiar perceptual contexts. In addition, we ruled out the possibility that this face race effect was due to differences in infants' associative learning of the sound and faces between the two groups. This work has important implications for understanding the mechanisms supporting perceptual development and how they relate to top-down perception in infancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiqi G Xiao
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8, Canada; Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.
| | - Hila Ghersin
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | | | - Alexandra M Boldin
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Lauren L Emberson
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA; Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
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2
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Dowdle LT, Vizioli L, Moeller S, Akçakaya M, Olman C, Ghose G, Yacoub E, Uğurbil K. Evaluating increases in sensitivity from NORDIC for diverse fMRI acquisition strategies. Neuroimage 2023; 270:119949. [PMID: 36804422 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.119949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
As the neuroimaging field moves towards detecting smaller effects at higher spatial resolutions, and faster sampling rates, there is increased attention given to the deleterious contribution of unstructured, thermal noise. Here, we critically evaluate the performance of a recently developed reconstruction method, termed NORDIC, for suppressing thermal noise using datasets acquired with various field strengths, voxel sizes, sampling rates, and task designs. Following minimal preprocessing, statistical activation (t-values) of NORDIC processed data was compared to the results obtained with alternative denoising methods. Additionally, we examined the consistency of the estimates of task responses at the single-voxel, single run level, using a finite impulse response (FIR) model. To examine the potential impact on effective image resolution, the overall smoothness of the data processed with different methods was estimated. Finally, to determine if NORDIC alters or removes temporal information important for modeling responses, we employed an exhaustive leave-p-out cross validation approach, using FIR task responses to predict held out timeseries, quantified using R2. After NORDIC, the t-values are increased, an improvement comparable to what could be achieved by 1.5 voxels smoothing, and task events are clearly visible and have less cross-run error. These advantages are achieved with smoothness estimates increasing by less than 4%, while 1.5 voxel smoothing is associated with increases of over 140%. Cross-validated R2s based on the FIR models show that NORDIC is not measurably distorting the temporal structure of the data under this approach and is the best predictor of non-denoised time courses. The results demonstrate that analyzing 1 run of data after NORDIC produces results equivalent to using 2 to 3 original runs and that NORDIC performs equally well across a diverse array of functional imaging protocols. Significance Statement: For functional neuroimaging, the increasing availability of higher field strengths and ever higher spatiotemporal resolutions has led to concomitant increase in concerns about the deleterious effects of thermal noise. Historically this noise source was suppressed using methods that reduce spatial precision such as image blurring or averaging over a large number of trials or sessions, which necessitates large data collection efforts. Here, we critically evaluate the performance of a recently developed reconstruction method, termed NORDIC, which suppresses thermal noise. Across datasets varying in field strength, voxel sizes, sampling rates, and task designs, NORDIC produces substantial gains in data quality. Both conventional t-statistics derived from general linear models and coefficients of determination for predicting unseen data are improved. These gains match or even exceed those associated with 1 voxel Full Width Half Max image smoothing, however, even such small amounts of smoothing are associated with a 52% reduction in estimates of spatial precision, whereas the measurable difference in spatial precision is less than 4% following NORDIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Dowdle
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
| | - Luca Vizioli
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States
| | - Steen Moeller
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States
| | - Mehmet Akçakaya
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Cheryl Olman
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Geoffrey Ghose
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Essa Yacoub
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States
| | - Kâmil Uğurbil
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 2021 6th Street SE, MN 55455, United States
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3
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Setzer B, Fultz NE, Gomez DEP, Williams SD, Bonmassar G, Polimeni JR, Lewis LD. A temporal sequence of thalamic activity unfolds at transitions in behavioral arousal state. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5442. [PMID: 36114170 PMCID: PMC9481532 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Awakening from sleep reflects a profound transformation in neural activity and behavior. The thalamus is a key controller of arousal state, but whether its diverse nuclei exhibit coordinated or distinct activity at transitions in behavioral arousal state is unknown. Using fast fMRI at ultra-high field (7 Tesla), we measured sub-second activity across thalamocortical networks and within nine thalamic nuclei to delineate these dynamics during spontaneous transitions in behavioral arousal state. We discovered a stereotyped sequence of activity across thalamic nuclei and cingulate cortex that preceded behavioral arousal after a period of inactivity, followed by widespread deactivation. These thalamic dynamics were linked to whether participants subsequently fell back into unresponsiveness, with unified thalamic activation reflecting maintenance of behavior. These results provide an outline of the complex interactions across thalamocortical circuits that orchestrate behavioral arousal state transitions, and additionally, demonstrate that fast fMRI can resolve sub-second subcortical dynamics in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beverly Setzer
- Graduate Program for Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nina E Fultz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Daniel E P Gomez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | | | - Giorgio Bonmassar
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan R Polimeni
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Laura D Lewis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
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4
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Dowdle LT, Ghose G, Chen CCC, Ugurbil K, Yacoub E, Vizioli L. Statistical power or more precise insights into neuro-temporal dynamics? Assessing the benefits of rapid temporal sampling in fMRI. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 207:102171. [PMID: 34492308 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive and widely used human neuroimaging method, is most known for its spatial precision. However, there is a growing interest in its temporal sensitivity. This is despite the temporal blurring of neuronal events by the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal, the peak of which lags neuronal firing by 4-6 seconds. Given this, the goal of this review is to answer a seemingly simple question - "What are the benefits of increased temporal sampling for fMRI?". To answer this, we have combined fMRI data collected at multiple temporal scales, from 323 to 1000 milliseconds, with a review of both historical and contemporary temporal literature. After a brief discussion of technological developments that have rekindled interest in temporal research, we next consider the potential statistical and methodological benefits. Most importantly, we explore how fast fMRI can uncover previously unobserved neuro-temporal dynamics - effects that are entirely missed when sampling at conventional 1 to 2 second rates. With the intrinsic link between space and time in fMRI, this temporal renaissance also delivers improvements in spatial precision. Far from producing only statistical gains, the array of benefits suggest that the continued temporal work is worth the effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Dowdle
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, 500 SE Harvard St, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States.
| | - Geoffrey Ghose
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 321 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
| | - Clark C C Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, 500 SE Harvard St, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
| | - Kamil Ugurbil
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
| | - Essa Yacoub
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States
| | - Luca Vizioli
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, 2021 6th St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, 500 SE Harvard St, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, United States.
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5
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Meyer K, Sommer W, Hildebrandt A. Reflections and New Perspectives on Face Cognition as a Specific Socio-Cognitive Ability. J Intell 2021; 9:jintelligence9020030. [PMID: 34207993 PMCID: PMC8293405 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence9020030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of socio-cognitive abilities emerged from intelligence research, and their specificity remains controversial until today. In recent years, the psychometric structure of face cognition (FC)—a basic facet of socio-cognitive abilities—was extensively studied. In this review, we summarize and discuss the divergent psychometric structures of FC in easy and difficult tasks. While accuracy in difficult tasks was consistently shown to be face-specific, the evidence for easy tasks was inconsistent. The structure of response speed in easy tasks was mostly—but not always—unitary across object categories, including faces. Here, we compare studies to identify characteristics leading to face specificity in easy tasks. The following pattern emerges: in easy tasks, face specificity is found when modeling speed in a single task; however, when modeling speed across multiple, different easy tasks, only a unitary factor structure is reported. In difficult tasks, however, face specificity occurs in both single task approaches and task batteries. This suggests different cognitive mechanisms behind face specificity in easy and difficult tasks. In easy tasks, face specificity relies on isolated cognitive sub-processes such as face identity recognition. In difficult tasks, face-specific and task-independent cognitive processes are employed. We propose a descriptive model and argue for FC to be integrated into common taxonomies of intelligence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Meyer
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Psychiatric University Hospital Charité at St. Hedwig Hospital, Große Hamburger Str. 5-11, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Werner Sommer
- Institut für Psychologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Department of Psychology, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China;
| | - Andrea Hildebrandt
- Department of Psychology, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg and the Research Center Neurosensory Science, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany;
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