title: Variation in White Matter Connectivity Predicts the Ability to Remember Faces and Discriminate Their Emotions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The extended face network contains clusters of neurons that perform distinct functions on facial stimuli. Regions in the posterior ventral visual stream appear to perform basic perceptual functions on faces, while more anterior regions, such as the ventral anterior temporal lobe and amygdala, function to link mnemonic and affective information to faces. Anterior and posterior regions are interconnected by a long-range white matter tracts; however, it is not known if variation in connectivity of these pathways explains cognitive performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we used diffusion imaging and deterministic tractography in a cohort of 28 neurologically normal adults ages 18-28 to examine microstructural properties of visual fiber pathways and their relationship to certain mnemonic and affective functions involved in face processing. We investigated how inter-individual variability in two tracts, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), related to performance on tests of facial emotion recognition and face memory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results revealed that microstructure of both tracts predicted variability in behavioral performance indexed by both tasks, suggesting that the ILF and IFOF play a role in facilitating our ability to discriminate emotional expressions in faces, as well as to remember unique faces. Variation in a control tract, the uncinate fasciculus, did not predict performance on these tasks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results corroborate and extend the findings of previous neuropsychology studies investigating the effects of damage to the ILF and IFOF, and demonstrate that differences in face processing abilities are related to white matter microstructure, even in healthy individuals.
authors.affiliation: 1Temple University,Department of Psychology,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.affiliation: 1Temple University,Department of Psychology,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Kylie H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Alm
authors.affiliation: 2Massachusetts General Hospital,Department of Neurology,Boston,Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: 1Temple University,Department of Psychology,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Jacquelyn M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.affiliation: 1Temple University,Department of Psychology,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Ingrid R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D066127:White Matter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diffusion imaging; Emotion; Face memory; Faces; Hypoemotionality; Prosopagnosia