Back to all research

Imageless imagery in aphantasia revealed by early visual cortex decoding

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.12.012
Chang, S., Zhang, X., Cao, Y., Pearson, J., & Meng, M. (2025). Imageless imagery in aphantasia revealed by early visual cortex decoding. Current Biology, 35(3), 591–599.e4. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2024.12.012

Abstract

Scientists have traditionally believed that activity in the primary visual cortex directly relates to conscious visual experiences, including mental imagery. This study examined this relationship in people with aphantasia - who cannot voluntarily create mental images - by measuring brain activity patterns during both perception and attempted imagery. The research revealed several surprising findings: While both aphantasic and non-aphantasic individuals showed decodable brain activity during imagery attempts, people with aphantasia displayed distinctly different neural patterns. Their brain activity during imagery appeared on the opposite side than expected and couldn't be matched to their patterns during actual perception. Additionally, aphantasic individuals showed reduced brain response when physically viewing things compared to people without aphantasia. These results suggest that people with aphantasia do maintain some form of imagery-related representation in their visual cortex, but it contains transformed rather than absent sensory information. This challenges our fundamental understanding of how activity in the visual cortex relates to conscious visual experiences, indicating the relationship is more complex than previously thought.

Authors

  • Shuai Chang4
  • Xinyu Zhang3
  • Yangjianyi Cao1
  • Joel Pearson28
  • Ming Meng4

Understanding Aphantasia: A New Perspective on Visual Imagery

Overview/Introduction

Aphantasia is a condition where individuals cannot voluntarily create mental images, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for years. Traditionally, it was believed that the primary visual cortex, a part of the brain responsible for processing visual information, was directly linked to our conscious visual experiences, including mental imagery. This study sought to explore this connection by examining brain activity in individuals with aphantasia compared to those without it.

Methodology

The researchers used advanced brain imaging techniques, specifically functional MRI (fMRI), to measure brain activity in participants as they attempted to visualize specific patterns. The study involved two groups: individuals with aphantasia and a control group with typical visual imagery abilities. Participants were asked to either view or imagine Gabor patterns (specific visual stimuli) while their brain activity was recorded.

Key Findings

  • Distinct Brain Activity in Aphantasia: Both groups showed brain activity during imagery attempts, but the patterns were notably different in individuals with aphantasia. Their brain activity appeared on the opposite side of the brain than expected and did not match the patterns observed during actual perception.
  • Reduced Perceptual Response: When physically viewing stimuli, individuals with aphantasia exhibited a lower brain response compared to those without the condition.
  • Transformed Imagery Representation: The study suggests that people with aphantasia do have some form of imagery-related brain activity, but it is transformed rather than absent. This challenges the traditional view that the primary visual cortex's activity directly results in conscious visual experiences.

Implications

  • Rethinking Visual Processing: These findings indicate that the relationship between brain activity in the visual cortex and conscious visual experiences is more complex than previously thought. This could lead to new approaches in understanding and treating conditions related to visual processing.
  • Broader Understanding of Consciousness: The study contributes to the broader field of consciousness research, suggesting that conscious experiences might not always align with neural activity in expected ways.

Limitations

  • Sample Size and Diversity: The study had a relatively small sample size, particularly for the aphantasia group, which could affect the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, there was a gender imbalance that the researchers attempted to address by recruiting more female participants in the control group.
  • Lack of Eye-Movement Monitoring: The absence of eye-movement monitoring during the experiments might introduce potential confounding factors.
In summary, this research provides new insights into the neural mechanisms of aphantasia, suggesting that while individuals with ...