Devolopment and Neurobiological Basis of Face-Processing during the First Year of Life

Obrada lica obuhvaća sposobnosti detekcije i prepoznavanja lica, obrade usmjerenosti pogleda i emocionalnih izraza lica te se smatra važnom domenom u razvoju teorije uma. Rani razvoj sposobnosti obrade lica ima važnu ulogu u uspostavljanju prvih socijalnih interakcija i odnosa te daljnjem razvoju kognitivnih sposobnosti (npr. jezika) i usvajanju znanja kroz socijalno učenje. Cilj ovog preglednog rada je kroz kritičku evaluaciju relevantnih istraživanja prikazati suvremene spoznaje o razvoju neurobiološke osnove obrade lica kod dojenčadi tijekom prve godine života. U radu prikazana su odabrana istraživanja koja su kroz različite tehnike i metode u okviru nekoliko istraživačkih pristupa pružila važna saznanja o razvoju i neuralnoj osnovi sposobnosti obrade lica kroz prvu godinu života. Iako je lokalizacija neuralne aktivacije u ovoj dobi još nespecijalizirana, rezultati istraživanja sugeriraju da ugrubo odgovara lokalizaciji karakterističnoj za odrasle. Priložena filogenetska usporedba ukazuje na superiornost ljudi u obradi lica u odnosu na primate, što se uglavnom povezuje s prirodom socijalnih odnosa i interakcija te složenosti zajednica specifičnih za vrstu. Na kraju rada opisani su nalazi koji upućuju na značaj obrade lica u djece urednog razvoja, kao i na važnost procjene sposobnosti obrade lica u okviru rane dijagnostike poremećaja iz autističnog spektra.Face processing refers to face detection, recognition of familiar faces, eye gaze processing and recognition of facial expressions of emotions. It is considered as core domain in development of theory of mind. Early development of face processing plays a key role in establishing primary social interactions, development of other cognitive abilities (e.g., language), and acquiring knowledge through social learning. The aim of this paper is critical evaluation of relevant research on development of the neurobiological basis of face processing during the first year of life. In this paper, we reviewed studies using various research techniques and methods, as well as different research approaches in order to depict the development and the neural basis of face processing through the first year of life. It seems that, although the localization of neural activation in this age is still unspecialized, it roughly corresponds to the localization of neural activation in adult population. Phylogenetic comparison indicated the superiority of human face processing in relation to primates, which is mainly associated with the species-specific nature of social relationships, interactions and complexity of community. Finally, findings show the importance of face processing in typically developing children as well as the importance of considering face processing as important indicator in early diagnostic procedures for autistic spectrum disorder