This study used positron emission tomography (PET) to demonstrate functional specialization in the human visual cortex. The researchers employed a novel technique, statistical parametric mapping, to detect significant changes in cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within the prestriate cortex, specifically identifying areas involved in color and visual motion perception. For color, they used a multicolored abstract display (Land color Mondrian) and compared it with an identical display of equiluminous shades of gray. This identified a unique area (area V4) in the lingual and fusiform gyri. For motion, they compared blood flow maps when subjects viewed moving or stationary black and white random-square patterns, identifying a unique area at the temporo-parieto-occipital junction (area V5). The results provide direct evidence that different areas of the human prestriate visual cortex are specialized for different visual attributes, similar to the organization in the macaque monkey. The study also assessed the functional relationship between areas V1/V2 and V4 during color vision and V1/V2 and V5 during motion stimulation, reflecting the anatomical connections between these areas.This study used positron emission tomography (PET) to demonstrate functional specialization in the human visual cortex. The researchers employed a novel technique, statistical parametric mapping, to detect significant changes in cerebral blood flow (rCBF) within the prestriate cortex, specifically identifying areas involved in color and visual motion perception. For color, they used a multicolored abstract display (Land color Mondrian) and compared it with an identical display of equiluminous shades of gray. This identified a unique area (area V4) in the lingual and fusiform gyri. For motion, they compared blood flow maps when subjects viewed moving or stationary black and white random-square patterns, identifying a unique area at the temporo-parieto-occipital junction (area V5). The results provide direct evidence that different areas of the human prestriate visual cortex are specialized for different visual attributes, similar to the organization in the macaque monkey. The study also assessed the functional relationship between areas V1/V2 and V4 during color vision and V1/V2 and V5 during motion stimulation, reflecting the anatomical connections between these areas.