Autism and Developmental Disorders Colloquium Series

The development and neural basis of face processing

Charles Nelson, Ph.D.
Richard David Scott Chair of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
and Research Director, Developmental Medicine Center, Children's Hospital Boston

6:00 pm, Wednesday, September 28, 2005
MIT building 46, auditorium
followed by a reception

It is well known that the adult brain contains specialized circuits for processing facial information.  Less well established is how such circuits come into being.  In this talk I will begin by briefly summarizing what is known about face processing in the adult.  I will then turn my attention to the developmental literature, beginning with behavioral studies and progressing to various neuroimaging studies. This will be followed by a discussion of several prominent developmental theories of face processing.  Although these theories differ in important ways from one another, what they all have in common is their emphasis on the experience-expectant and activity dependent nature of face processing.  Should time permit, I will comment on how studies of development can she light on those who study adult face processing, and most relevant to this audience, on studies of atypically developing children.

Hosted by Pawan Sinha

Supported by the Simons Foundation and the Anne and Paul Marcus Family Foundation