Intrinsically organized network for face perception during the resting state

We investigated 0.01-0.08 Hz low-frequency fluctuations of BOLD-fMRI signals in the face and object-responsive regions during the resting-state and during face or object viewing tasks. By comparing the effects of the face-responsive regions of interest with those of the object-responsive regions of interest, we observed a distributed cortical network of face perception during the resting-state among posterior fusiform gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, and superior temporal sulcus. This network was also significantly activated during the face perception task. The face perception task also activated additional areas in the frontal and parietal regions. Our results suggest that the "core" but not the "extended" network for face processing is already in some form of activation during the resting-state. A possible function of the resting-state face perception network is perhaps to prepare the brain to process faces that individuals are highly likely to encounter in their environment.