Similar object shape representation encoded in the inferolateral occipitotemporal cortex of sighted and early blind people.

ABSTRACT: We can sense an object's shape by vision or touch. Previous studies suggested that the inferolateral occipitotemporal cortex (ILOTC) implements supramodal shape representations as it responds more to seeing or touching objects than shapeless textures. However, such activation in the anterior portion of the ventral visual pathway could be due to the conceptual representation of an object or visual imagery triggered by touching an object. We addressed these possibilities by directly comparing shape and conceptual representations of objects in early blind (who lack visual experience/imagery) and sighted participants. We found that bilateral ILOTC in both groups showed stronger activation during a shape verification task than during a conceptual verification task made on the names of the same

SUBMITTER: Xu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10368275 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature