Abstract
Recent neuroimaging evidence has shown that action preparation shapes activity in areas of the ventral stream known to be involved in visual recognition of objects. Here we investigated whether this modulation is related to the visual processing or visual memory of the object properties that are relevant for the upcoming action. To answer this question, we used a slow event-related fMRI paradigm that independently manipulated vision of the object (Vision or No Vision) and action type (Grasp or Move hand). Movements consisted of either grasping the object or moving the open hand beside the object without touching it. Critically, processing of object properties was crucial for the Grasp but not Move hand condition as an interaction with the object was required for grasping but not open hand movements. Sixteen right-handed participants performed delayed movements with and without visual feedback using their dominant hand. At the beginning of each trial an auditory cue instructed participants whether or not to close their eyes and the action to be performed at the end of the trial. A delay of 10 seconds was followed by the go cue. Using a multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data, we found that the Lateral Occipital (LO) area showed above chance decoding accuracy for planning Grasp vs. Move hand actions in the Vision condition while the tactile-visual subdivision of LOC (LOtv) showed above chance decoding accuracy for planning Grasp vs. Move hand actions in the Vision as well as in No Vision condition. These results suggest that object processing in LO and LOtv is shaped by whether or not an interaction with the object is planned. In addition, while activity in LO is shaped by online visual processing of the object, activity in LOtv is shaped by visual processing as well as by visual memory of the object.
Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2016