Understanding how the brain processes and represents faces
Official title: Determining face representations within and transformations between temporal and prefrontal cortex
Funded at Rockefeller University · NIH-11038979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain parts of the brain help us recognize faces, which could help people with conditions like autism or face blindness understand social interactions better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rockefeller University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | December 12, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $254,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH138848-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11038979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with autism spectrum disorder or face agnosia who experience challenges in recognizing faces.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any cognitive or visual processing disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different areas of the brain, specifically the anterior temporal cortex and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, process and represent faces. By using advanced imaging techniques and electrical recordings, the study aims to uncover the distinct ways these brain regions encode facial information, focusing on both physical features and meaningful categories. Patients may benefit from insights into how face recognition works, particularly in conditions like autism or face agnosia, which affect social interactions and communication.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for individuals with face recognition difficulties.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain processing of visual stimuli, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Rockefeller University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freiwald, Winrich — Rockefeller University
- Study coordinator: Freiwald, Winrich
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.