Functions of Visual Cortex

Question 1

V4

Answer 1

V4 damage leads to impaired color discrimination tasks. Damage to other areas (V5/MT) does not impair performance.

Causes deficit known as Achromatopsia (loss of color vision)

Question 2

V5

Answer 2

Also called the Middle Temporal region (MT).

V5/MT damage is associated with an impairment in the detection of motion.

This is called Akinetopsia. See moving things as freeze frames.

Question 3

V1

Answer 3

Primary visual cortex. Lesion here causes a scotoma (blind spot).

Question 4

FFA

Answer 4

Fusiform Face Area. Lesions here give Prosopagnosia or the inability to recognize faces. Face is seen as parts not as a whole.

Question 5

V2

Answer 5

Small amount of processing occurs in V2, it is largely considered to be a relay area.

Question 6

Dorsal Pathway

Answer 6

The “Where is it?” pathway.

This is involved in directing visual attention to an object of interest. Lesions here impair the allocation of attention. Cause “attentional neglect”.

Question 7

Ventral Pathway

Answer 7

The “What is it?” pathway. Used for recognition of objects, shape, color, texture etc. Lesions here impair recognition.