Shape-Selective Areas of Human Dorsal Cortex are Sensitive Stimulus Display Format
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Authors
McDonald, Kallie Elizabeth
Issue Date
2025
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Dorsal Visual Pathway , fMRI , Real vs 2D Objects , Shape Selectivity , Ventral Visual Pathway , Visual Perception
Alternative Title
Abstract
Neuroimaging studies assume that brain responses to real objects and two-dimensional (2-D) pictures are equivalent. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare selectivity to shape cues conveyed by real objects and pictures in known shape-processing areas of ventral and dorsal cortex. Selectivity was measured using a parametric object scrambling paradigm. Participants lay in the scanner with their head tilted forwards, and the stimuli were mounted on a turntable positioned over the waist. We found differences in global patterns of shape selectivity along both ventral and dorsal cortex, for real object and picture stimuli. These results suggest that the brain responds uniquely to shape when it is defined by tangible objects, perhaps because real objects convey information relevant to action and sematosensation.