Mental imagery and perception overlap within transmodal association networks

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2026.03.013

Tags:

Anderson, N. L., Salvo, J. J., Smallwood, J., & Braga, R. M. (2026). Mental imagery and perception overlap within transmodal association networks. Neuron. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2026.03.013

Abstract

Human cognition relies on two modes: a perceptually coupled mode where mental states are driven by sensory input and a perceptually decoupled mode featuring self-generated mental content. Imagined states that evoke mental imagery are thought to be supported primarily by reinstated activity in sensory cortex, but transmodal systems are also implicated in imagery-related processes like mind-wandering, recollection, and imagining the future. During a precision fMRI experiment, participants imagined different scenarios in the scanner, then rated their mental states using multi-dimensional experience sampling. Thinking involving scenes evoked activity within parts of the canonical default network, while imagining speech evoked activity within the language network. In each domain, imagining-related activity overlapped with activity evoked by viewing scenes or listening to speech, respectively; however, this overlap was predominantly within transmodal association networks, rather than adjacent unimodal sensory networks. We conclude that the engagement of transmodal networks supports self-generated mental states involving different forms of mental imagery.

Authors

Nathan L. Anderson1
Joseph J. Salvo1
Jonathan Smallwood1
Rodrigo M. Braga1

What This Study Is About

Researchers investigated which parts of the brain are responsible for mental imagery—the ability to "see" or "hear" things in your mind. They specifically looked at whether the brain uses the same areas to imagine a scene as it does to actually see one, and how these patterns change based on how vivid a person's imagery feels.

How They Studied It

The study used functional MRI (fMRI) to scan the brains of participants while they performed different mental tasks. Participants were asked to imagine complex scenes (like a city skyline) or "inner speech" (like imagining a teacher talking). After each task, they rated how vivid the image or sound was. The researchers then compared these "imagination" brain maps to "perception" maps created while the same people actually looked at pictures or listened to real audio clips.

What They Found

The study discovered that imagination and real perception mostly overlap in "high-level" brain networks (called transmodal association networks) rather than the "low-level" areas that first process raw sight and sound. When people reported more vivid mental images, these high-level networks showed much stronger activity. Specifically, imagining scenes activated a network involved in memory and navigation (DN-A), while imagining speech activated a network dedicated to language (LANG).

What This Might Mean

This suggests that aphantasia (the lack of visual imagery) might not be a problem with the brain's "eyes" (the primary visual cortex), but rather with how these higher-level "command centers" retrieve and organize information. Because the study found that vividness is directly tied to activity in these specific networks, it supports the idea that people experience imagery differently because of how these brain networks are wired or activated. However, the study focused on people with varying levels of imagery rather than specifically comparing aphantasics to "hyper-phantasics."

One Interesting Detail

The researchers found that when people imagine scenes, the brain's primary visual areas—the parts that process actual light hitting your eyes—sometimes "deactivate" or show negative responses, suggesting the brain might actively suppress outside distractions to focus on the internal image.

Mental imagery and perception overlap within transmodal association networks

Abstract

Authors

Mental imagery and perception overlap within transmodal association networks

Abstract

Authors

Mental imagery and perception overlap within transmodal association networks

Abstract

Authors

Mental imagery and perception overlap within transmodal association networks

Abstract

Authors

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

Joel Pearson

Merlin Monzel

Adam Zeman

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Martin Reuter

Juha Silvanto

Paolo Bartolomeo

Carla Dance

Jianghao Liu

Fraser Milton