Facilitated early cortical processing of nude human bodies




Jussi Alho, Nelli Salminen, Mikko Sams, Jari K. Hietanen, Lauri Nummenmaa

PublisherELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

2015

 Biological Psychology

BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

BIOL PSYCHOL

109

103

110

8

0301-0511

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2015.04.010



Functional brain imaging has identified specialized neural systems supporting human body perception. Responses to nude vs. clothed bodies within this system are amplified. However, it remains unresolved whether nude and clothed bodies are processed by same cerebral networks or whether processing of nude bodies recruits additional affective and arousal processing areas. We recorded simultaneous MEG and EEG while participants viewed photographs of clothed and nude bodies. Global field power revealed a peak similar to 145ms after stimulus onset to both clothed and nude bodies, and similar to 205ms exclusively to nude bodies. Nude-body-sensitive responses were centered first (100-200 ms) in the extrastriate and fusiform body areas, and subsequently (200-300 ms) in affective-motivational areas including insula and anterior cingulate cortex. We conclude that visibility of sexual features facilitates early cortical processing of human bodies, the purpose of which is presumably to trigger sexual behavior and ultimately ensure reproduction. (C) 2015 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.



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