Imageless imagery in aphantasia: decoding non-sensory imagery in aphantasia
Abstract
Activity in early visual cortex is thought to tightly couple with conscious experience, including feedback-driven mental imagery. However, the state of mental imagery, what takes its place or how any activity relates to qualia in those with aphantasia (a complete lack of visual imagery) remains unknown. In the current study, univariate (amplitude) and multivariate (decoding) BOLD signals during imagery attempts were recorded in primary visual cortex. Unlike in those with imagery, neural signatures in those with validated aphantasia were ipsilateral and could not be cross-decoded with perceptual representations. Further, perception-induced neural activation was weaker in those with aphantasia compared to controls. Together, these data suggest that an imagery-related representation, but with less or transformed sensory information, exists in the primary visual cortex of those with aphantasia. Our data challenges the classic view that activity in primary visual cortex should result in sensory qualia.
Authors
- Ming Meng4
- Shuai Chang4
- Xinyu Zhang3
- Joel Pearson28
Understanding Imageless Imagery: A Study on Aphantasia
Overview/Introduction
Methodology
Key Findings
- Brain Activity Patterns: In individuals with aphantasia, brain activity during imagery attempts was different from those who could visualize. Their neural responses were ipsilateral (same side of the brain) and could not be decoded in the same way as perceptual responses.
- Weaker Perception-Induced Activation: The brain's response to actual visual stimuli was weaker in those with aphantasia compared to those who could visualize.
- Imagery Without Sensory Qualia: Despite the lack of conscious visual imagery, specific neural patterns were still present in the brains of those with aphantasia during imagery attempts.
Implications
Limitations
- Sample Size and Diversity: The study's findings are based on a limited number of participants, which may not fully represent the diversity of experiences among those with aphantasia.
- Understanding of Neural Representations: While the study identifies differences in brain activity, it does not fully explain what kind of information is represented in the brains of those with aphantasia during imagery attempts.