{
  "id": 6607164,
  "title": "Configural and featural processing, and their role in the face network",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/configural-and-featural-processing-and-their-role-in-the-face-network",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-10T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.04.749546v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Object recognition involves both the detection of individual features and the spatial configuration of those features. While non-face stimuli can be identified by their configuration, stimuli identified by features do not elicit canonical face effects. This study aimed to determine if there are distinct neural bases for domain-general configural vs. featural processing, and how face-specific areas interact with these processors. Adults were trained to recognize both configural and featural stimuli, and fMRI was used to observe neural responses. Configural stimuli activated superior parietal, superior frontal, and lateral occipitotemporal cortices, while featural stimuli primarily activated the ventral fusiform gyrus. To identify face areas, a separate fMRI localizer was used, revealing that the Occipital Face Area was activated during recognition of featural stimuli, while the Fusiform Face Area showed no preference for either configural or featural stimuli. The posterior Superior Temporal Sulcus face-area, which responds to the movable aspects of faces like expressions, selectively responded to configural stimuli over featural stimuli. The functional connectivity of face areas to configural or featural regions mirrored this pattern, suggesting that domain-general processors and their differential connectivity with face network may provide a mechanism for face areas to utilize this information for their distinct roles in face perception.",
  "summary": "Object recognition can rely on the detection of individual features, as well as the spatial configuration of features, which is especially prominent in the identification of faces. We previously showed that canonical 'face effects' (e.g., inversion, part-whole) can be elicited by non-face stimuli that are identified strictly by configuration, but not in stimuli that are identified by features.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}