In the brain, objects seen and imagined follow the same neural path

""I can look at an object in the world around me, but I can also close my eyes and imagine the object," says Varun Wadia, highlighting the dual capability of visual perception and imagination."

""This has not been demonstrated before at the neural level," says Kalanit Grill-Spector, emphasizing the significance of the research in understanding the neural basis of visual imagination."

""Objects are three-dimensional. They present themselves to us one side at a time, and yet we intuitively seem to be able to model the parts of the object we don't see," explains Thomas Naselaris, illustrating the brain's imaginative capabilities."

Visual imagination allows individuals to conjure images and navigate using mental maps. Research shows that imagined and perceived objects activate the same neurons and neural code. This discovery aids in understanding vision disorders and could lead to computer models simulating vision. The brain uses imagination to enhance visual information, allowing for the modeling of unseen object parts. The study involved monitoring over 700 neurons in patients with epilepsy, providing unique insights into neural activity related to visual processing.

Read at www.npr.org