Cited by 1,370Face Recognition and PerceptionMemory and Neural MechanismsNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

The Enigmatic temporal pole: a review of findings on social and emotional processing

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Olson, I. R., Plotzker, A., Ezzyat, Y.·2007·Brain

Abstract

The function of the anterior-most portion of the temporal lobes, the temporal pole, is not well understood. Anatomists have long considered it part of an extended limbic system based on its location posterior to the orbital frontal cortex and lateral to the amygdala, along with its tight connectivity to limbic and paralimbic regions. Here we review the literature in both non-human primates and humans to assess the temporal pole's putative role in social and emotional processing. Reviewed findings indicate that it has some role in both social and emotional processes, including face recognition and theory of mind, that goes beyond semantic memory. We propose that the temporal pole binds complex, highly processed perceptual inputs to visceral emotional responses. Because perceptual inputs remain segregated into dorsal (auditory), medial (olfactory) and ventral (visual) streams, the integration of emotion with perception is channel specific.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Markowitsch HJ. Which brain regions are critically involved in episodic memory? Brain Res Rev 1995; 21: 117-27.
  2. Mummery CJ, Patterson K, Prices CJ, Ashburner J, Frackowiak RSJ, Hodges JR. A voxel-based morphometry study of semantic dementia: relationship between temporal lobe atrophy and semantic memory. Ann Neurol 2000; 47: 36-45.
  3. Myers RE. Discussion of 'outlines of anid and felid brain evolution'. Ann NY Acad of Sci 1969; 167: 289-92.

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Authors
Olson, I. R., Plotzker, A., & Ezzyat, Y.
Affiliations
University of Pennsylvania (US)
Venue
Brain
Published
2007-05-29
Volume
130
Issue
7
Pages
1718-1731
ISSN
  • 0006-8950 (ISSN-L)
  • 1460-2156
OpenAlex
W2154384688
Cited by
1,370
References
189
Citations by year
2026: 78 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 69 · 2022: 89 · 2021: 81 · 2020: 76 · 2019: 79 · 2018: 71 · 2017: 90 · 2016: 74 · 2015: 91 · 2014: 77 · 2013: 89 · 2012: 65
FWCI
3.59
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
other-oa
Locations
  • Brain (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Pennsylvania
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
temporal pole, social processing, emotional processing, face recognition (cognition), theory of mind, limbic system, amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, non-human primates, human brain
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain Mapping, Emotions, Face, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Pattern Recognition, Visual, Social Behavior Disorders, Temporal Lobe, Recognition, Psychology

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