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Specialized and independent processing of orientation and shape in visual field maps LO1 and LO2

Abstract

We identified human visual field maps, LO1 and LO2, in object-selective lateral occipital cortex. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), we assessed the functions of these maps in the perception of orientation and shape. TMS of LO1 disrupted orientation, but not shape, discrimination, whereas TMS of LO2 disrupted shape, but not orientation, discrimination. This double dissociation suggests that specialized and independent processing of different visual attributes occurs in LO1 and LO2.

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Figure 1: Visual field maps and visual task schematics.
Figure 2: Target locations for TMS and behavioral results.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to T. Andrews, H. Baseler and A. Wade for their useful discussion of the study and earlier drafts of the manuscript. We also thank R. Baker, J. Blake, C. Breare, E. Cooper, E. Reeves, E. Shah and S. Strong for their assistance in performing the experiments. We thank the Department of Psychology, University of York, which funds the PhD studentship award to E.H.S. and summer bursary award to J.R.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

E.H.S. jointly designed the study, acquired and analyzed the neuroimaging and TMS data, jointly programmed the stimuli, and wrote the manuscript. D.J.M. jointly designed the study, analyzed the TMS data and wrote the manuscript. J.R. analyzed the neuroimaging data. A.D.G. acquired and analyzed the neuroimaging data and jointly programmed the stimuli. M.H. analyzed the neuroimaging data and jointly programmed the stimuli. A.B.M. jointly designed the study, acquired and analyzed the neuroimaging and TMS data, jointly programmed the stimuli, and wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed to the earlier drafts of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antony B Morland.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Supplementary Figures 1–3 and Supplementary Tables 1 and 2 (PDF 348 kb)

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Silson, E., McKeefry, D., Rodgers, J. et al. Specialized and independent processing of orientation and shape in visual field maps LO1 and LO2. Nat Neurosci 16, 267–269 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3327

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