Neurophysiological correlates for the perception of facial sexual dimorphism

Abstract Neural correlates for the processing of face identity, expression, gaze direction and attractiveness are well described, but neurophysiological correlates for the perception of face gender are less understood. Here, we used morphing techniques to produce synthetic faces with graded perceiva...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain research bulletin 2007-03, Vol.71 (5), p.515-522
Main Authors: Cellerino, Alessandro, Borghetti, Davide, Valenzano, Dario R, Tartarelli, Giandonato, Mennucci, Andrea, Murri, Luigi, Sartucci, Ferdinando
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Brain Mapping
Electroencephalography - methods
Event-related potentials (ERPs)
Evoked Potentials, Visual - physiology
Face
Face perception
Female
Gender perception
Humans
Independent component analysis
Male
Neural sources
Neurology
Pattern Recognition, Visual - physiology
Perceived masculinity
Photic Stimulation - methods
Principal Component Analysis
Psychophysics
Reaction Time - physiology
Sex Characteristics
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Summary:Abstract Neural correlates for the processing of face identity, expression, gaze direction and attractiveness are well described, but neurophysiological correlates for the perception of face gender are less understood. Here, we used morphing techniques to produce synthetic faces with graded perceivable gender and independent component analysis (ICA) of multifocal EEG to unravel neural signals correlated to processing and perception of face gender. We investigate possible neural correlates of face perception using scalp event-related potentials (ERPs) and dipole source analysis in a group of health observers. We isolated one signal source localised to the right parieto-temporal region with a latency of about 170 ms, whose latency correlates with perceived facial masculinity. In conclusion, our data prove that the right parieto-temporal regions play a fundamental role in face gender masculinity processing and perception in humans.
ISSN:0361-9230
1873-2747
DOI:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2006.11.007