Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Assess Adaptation and Size Invariance of Shape Processing by Humans and Monkeys

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging in awake monkeys and humans was used to compare object adaptation in shape-sensitive regions of these two species under identical and different size conditions. Object adaptation was similar in humans and monkeys under both conditions. Neither species showed complete size invariance, in agreement with single-cell studies. Both the macaque inferotemporal (IT) complex and human lateral occipital complex (LOC) displayed an anteroposterior gradient in object adaptation and size invariance, with the more anterior regions being more adaptable and size invariant. The results provide additional evidence for the homology between the macaque IT cortex and human LOC but also add to the growing list of differences between human and monkey intraparietal sulcus regions.