Fine-scale dynamics of functional connectivity in the face-processing network during movie watching

• Published in: Cell reports (Cambridge) Vol. 42; no. 6; p. 112585
• Main Authors: Levakov, Gidon, Sporns, Olaf, Avidan, Galia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 27.06.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: CP: Neuroscience; dynamic connectivity; face perception; face recognition; functional connectivity; network analysis; face perception; face recognition; network analysis; functional connectivity; CP: Neuroscience; dynamic connectivity
• ISSN: 2211-1247; 2211-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112585

Mapping the human face-processing network is typically done during rest or using isolated, static face images, overlooking widespread cortical interactions obtained in response to naturalistic face dynamics and context. To determine how inter-subject functional correlation (ISFC) relates to face recognition scores, we measure cortical connectivity patterns in response to a dynamic movie in typical adults (N = 517). We find a positive correlation with recognition scores in edges connecting the occipital visual and anterior temporal regions and a negative correlation in edges connecting the attentional dorsal, frontal default, and occipital visual regions. We measure the inter-subject stimulus-evoked response at a single TR resolution and demonstrate that co-fluctuations in face-selective edges are related to activity in core face-selective regions and that the ISFC patterns peak during boundaries between movie segments rather than during the presence of faces. Our approach demonstrates how face processing is linked to fine-scale dynamics in attentional, memory, and perceptual neural circuitry. [Display omitted] •Functional brain connectivity is measured during movie watching•Inter-subject functional correlation (ISFC) is linked to face recognition scores•Edge time series allow measuring ISFC at the single time-frame resolution•ISFC correlation to behavior peak during boundaries between movie segments Levakov et al. study face processing in the brain using a dynamic movie and show that inter-subject functional correlation (ISFC) is linked to face recognition scores. ISFC patterns peak during boundaries between movie segments and co-fluctuations in face-selective edges related to core face-selective regions, providing insights into fine-scale neural circuitry.