Face-selective regions in the human brain extend across the temporal lobe into anterior temporal cortex: FFA-1, FFA-2, aFG, and aTL-FA

Abstract Anterior temporal lobe regions of the ventral core-face system are proposed to play a critical role in face-identity processing, yet these areas are inconsistently localised in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies. In the current study, we attempted to localise these regions using a targeted face-area localiser task where participants viewed images of faces or homogenous objects (watches). In conjunction, we employed a functional imaging sequence optimised for the ventral anterior temporal lobe (multi-echo fMRI). We observed face-selective responses (faces > watches) in the fusiform gyrus with peaks corresponding to the posterior and mid fusiform face area (FFA) i.e., FFA-1 and FFA-2. Strikingly, a third more anterior peak in the fusiform gyrus (aFG; y = -30) was also evident. We also identified a discrete face-selective cluster in the ventral anterior temporal lobe corresponding to the anterior temporal lobe face area (aTL-FA). These findings demonstrate face-selective regions that extend across the temporal lobe into anterior divisions, likely revealed by improved sensitivity of multi-echo fMRI. Together, the results support the view that the ventral core-face system extends beyond the posterior regions traditionally emphasised in models of face processing. This manuscript is a preprint and has not yet been peer reviewed.