Building-specific categorical processing in the retrosplenial cortex

This study investigates by functional MRI (fMRI) the characteristics of processing activities at the retrosplenial cortex (RSC) and compares them to activities at the parahippocampal place area (PPA). A special categorical selectivity of the RSC in the recognition of buildings was elucidated. RSC activation-which is related to the processing of information vis-à-vis buildings, as well as the perception and recollection thereof-deals with buildings per se, or the conceptual aspects of buildings; it is not involved in distinguishing information regarding individual buildings, as is the case with PPA.