Anatomical Connectivity of the Macaque Gaze-following Patch

Abstract

The macaque gaze-following patch (GFP) is a specialized region of the temporal cortex implicated in decoding others' focus of attention and guiding gaze-following behavior. Although the GFP has been characterized functionally, its anatomical connectivity remains largely unknown. To investigate how the GFP is embedded within a putative brain network supporting social interactions, we injected a pair of fluorescence labeled anterograde and retrograde tracers into the GFP of one monkey. Analysis of the resulting material revealed reciprocal connections between the GFP and a region of the inferior parietal lobule, likely corresponding to area PFG, as well as sparse retrograde labeling in the amygdala. In contrast to the expectation that the GFP might be subject to cognitive control signals from the prefrontal cortex, we failed to identify convincing retrograde labeling in prefrontal regions. Overall, this connectivity profile is consistent with a network that translates information derived from others' faces into shifts of attention, while providing little evidence for direct prefrontal control of the GFP.