Abstract
Response properties of individual neurons in the human ventral temporal cortex (VTC) have yet to be studied, and their role in conscious perception remains unknown. To explore this, we implanted microelectrodes into the VTCs of eight human subjects undergoing invasive epilepsy monitoring. Most (26 of 33) category-selective units showed specificity for face stimuli, with a range of response profiles. Different face exemplars evoked consistent and discriminable responses in the population of units sampled. During a free recall task, face-selective units selectively reactivated in the absence of visual stimulation during the 2-second window prior to face recall events. Furthermore, recalled exemplar identity could be predicted by comparing population activity preceding recall events to activity evoked by visual stimulation with the respective exemplars.
One Sentence Summary Single neurons in the human ventral temporal cortex code for individual face exemplars, both during sensory stimulation and during imagery in the absence of sensory stimulation.