Open AccessHuman cortical processing of colour and pattern
Author(s) -
Barrett Nicholas A.,
Large Mathew M.,
Smith Glen L.,
Michie Patricia T.,
Karayanidis Frini,
Kavanagh David J.,
Fawdry Richard,
Henderson David,
O'Sullivan Brendan T.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.1034
Subject(s) - fusiform gyrus , thalamus , caudate nucleus , neuroscience , psychology , human brain , superior parietal lobule , inferior temporal gyrus , pattern recognition (psychology) , functional magnetic resonance imaging , temporal lobe , cognitive psychology , epilepsy
The present study investigates human visual processing of simple two‐colour patterns using a delayed match to sample paradigm with positron emission tomography (PET). This study is unique in that we specifically designed the visual stimuli to be the same for both pattern and colour recognition with all patterns being abstract shapes not easily verbally coded composed of two‐colour combinations. We did this to explore those brain regions required for both colour and pattern processing and to separate those areas of activation required for one or the other. We found that both tasks activated similar occipital regions, the major difference being more extensive activation in pattern recognition. A right‐sided network that involved the inferior parietal lobule, the head of the caudate nucleus, and the pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus was common to both paradigms. Pattern recognition also activated the left temporal pole and right lateral orbital gyrus, whereas colour recognition activated the left fusiform gyrus and several right frontal regions. Hum. Brain Mapping 13:213–225, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.