Work

Neuronal processing of facial expressions in the primate superior colliculus

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Fast processing of emotionally salient facial expressions is widely believed to depend on a subcortical visual circuit from the superior colliculus through the thalamus to the amygdala, but the specific processing steps remain unclear. Here we identified two largely nonoverlapping groups of neurons in the superior colliculus significantly modulated by facial expressions. One group exhibited a short-latency preference for threat and the other exhibited a delayed preference for fear.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.64898/2026.09.10.750132

Authors: Gongchen Yu, Leor Katz, Richard J. Krauzlis

Institutions: National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Eye Institute, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Face Recognition and Perception

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Eye Institute

Award: Visual Circuits

OpenAlex ID: W7212443817

Cites: 28

Cited by:

Related to: 10