Contrast reversal of the iris and sclera increases the face sensitive N170

Previous research has demonstrated that reversing the contrast of the eye region, which includes the eyebrows, affects the N170 ERP. To selectively assess the impact of just the eyes, the present study evaluated the N170 in response to reversing contrast polarity of just the iris and sclera in upright and inverted face stimuli. Contrast reversal of the eyes increased the amplitude of the N170 for upright faces, but not for inverted faces, suggesting that the contrast of eyes is an important contributor to the N170 ERP.

Automated summary

Previous research has shown that reversing the contrast of the eye region affects the N170 ERP. This study specifically evaluated the impact of reversing the contrast of just the iris and sclera on the N170 in upright and inverted faces. The results indicate that the contrast of the eyes is an important contributor to the N170 ERP, affecting only the amplitude for upright faces.