側頭連合野の視覚情報処理—形，顔，色，質感，奥行きの処理

Visual Processing in the Ventral Pathway: Shape, Face, Color, Material Properties, and Stereoscopic Depth

一次視覚野（V1）からV2，V4などの領野を経ながら側頭葉視覚連合野へと向かう腹側経路は，物体の形，色，質感，他者の顔や表情，そして奥行きの情報を処理する。近年，腹側経路の各段階における視覚情報の処理内容の研究が進み，V1での情報表現がいかにして，さまざまな視知覚に対応する表現へと変換されるかが理解されつつある。また，経路後段の細胞活動が，これらの知覚に因果的に関わることが示されつつある。

Abstract

The ventral visual pathway projecting from the primary visual cortex to the visual temporal association cortex processes shape, color, and material properties of objects as well as face and facial expression, and stereoscopic depth. The last decade has witnessed great advances in our understanding of how information is transformed at each transition between the stages along this pathway. Accumulating evidence also indicates that neurons in the later part of the pathway (e.g., area V4 and inferior temporal cortex) are causally involved in generating perception of shape, color, face, and fine stereoscopic depth.