Dissociating facial processing pathways for static and dynamic information

Current theory proposes that dynamic facial information (ie. expression) and static facial information (identity/gender) are processed via different brain mechanisms. Neuroimaging research provides tentative evidence for this, as different brain areas are activated by tasks involving dynamic versus invariant features of faces. This study will provide the first strong test of this theory using a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) "transient lesion" model. TMS may be used to temporarily disrupt brain function in discrete brain regions. We will apply TMS to cortical areas thought to be involved in different aspects of face processing. We predict specific behavioural effects arising from stimulation of different cortical areas.