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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.07.20.739570

Enhanced neural encoding of individual exemplars in the Super-Recogniser brain is specific to faces

Ventura, M.·Grootswagers, T.·Varlet, M.·Dunn, J. D.·White, D.·Quek, G. L.
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Abstract

Super-Recognisers are known for their exceptional ability to encode and remember faces. Recent work has found robust neural codes for face identity in brain activity. Here we test whether the enhanced individuation of face identity in super-recogniser neural codes extends to exemplars from non-face categories. We recorded 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) as 22 Super-Recognisers and 20 typical recognisers viewed rapid, randomised sequences of faces, dogs, houses, and cars (10 different images of 10 different exemplars per category). Using a neural decoding approach, we found that Super-Recognisers neural responses contained stronger and more temporally sustained information discriminating individual face identities. Moreover, Super-Recognisers displayed increased inter-individual consistency in the organisation of their face-identity representations, suggesting a more stable and/or canonical representational structure in individuals with superior face recognition abilities. Crucially, there was no evidence to suggest that these encoding advantages generalised to non-face categories: neural discrimination of individual dogs, cars, and houses was comparable across groups, and group-differences in inter-subject consistency were evident only for faces. Together, these findings suggest that enhanced perceptual encoding underlying exceptional face recognition is highly category-specific, supporting the view that expertise in this group reflects specialised mechanisms for processing facial identity rather than broadly enhanced visual discrimination capacities.

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Ventura, M., Grootswagers, T., Varlet, M., Dunn, J. D., White, D., Quek, G. L.. 2026-07-22. Enhanced neural encoding of individual exemplars in the Super-Recogniser brain is specific to faces. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.20.739570

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