Neuroscientific Study Reveals Brain Activity Patterns in Aphantasia

In a groundbreaking study published in *Current Biology* on July 6, 2025, neuroscientists have uncovered distinct patterns of brain activity in individuals with aphantasia, a condition characterized by the inability to form mental images voluntarily. This research not only enhances the understanding of mental imagery but also suggests that the mechanisms of conscious visual awareness and mental representation may operate independently within the brain.

Aphantasia, a term coined in 2015, describes individuals who cannot conjure images in their mind's eye, despite being able to articulate concepts and descriptions of objects. This study aimed to investigate whether individuals with aphantasia engage similar brain regions as those with typical visual imagery when attempting to visualize stimuli. The research team, led by Shuai Chang and colleagues from the University of Sydney, utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity in 14 participants diagnosed with aphantasia and 18 control participants with normal imagery abilities.

According to the findings, both groups exhibited brain activity in the early visual cortex during imagery tasks; however, critical differences emerged. While participants with normal imagery displayed expected patterns of brain activity—stronger responses in the hemisphere opposite to the visual field where the stimulus was imagined—those with aphantasia showed heightened activity in the same-side hemisphere. This divergence indicates a fundamentally different organizational structure of visual processing in aphantasia, leading researchers to theorize that the neural representations generated during imagery attempts might lack the sensory qualities that contribute to conscious visual experience.

The study's design involved multiple experimental phases. Participants completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, confirming their lack of visual imagery, and engaged in a binocular rivalry task to further validate their imagery capabilities. During the main experiment, both groups were asked to visualize colored Gabor patches at designated locations on a screen. Interestingly, even though aphantasic participants rated their imagery as nearly non-existent, their brain activity revealed structured representations of visual information, although these did not correspond with those produced during actual visual perception.

Dr. Xinyu Zhang, co-author of the study and a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Sydney, emphasized the implications of these findings: “The results challenge the long-standing assumption that activity in early visual areas directly correlates with visual awareness. Instead, they suggest that mental imagery and conscious perception may utilize different neural pathways.”

Further ramifications of the study extend into the broader understanding of cognitive processing and mental health. Dr. Joel Pearson, a cognitive scientist at the University of New South Wales, noted, “This research may pave the way for new insights into cognitive strategies employed by individuals with aphantasia, possibly leading to tailored therapeutic approaches.”

Despite the revelations, the authors caution about the study's limitations, including its small sample size and the predominance of female participants. They recommend future research should investigate how aphantasia might affect the processing of complex images and the potential impact of subtle eye movements on the observed neural signals.

In conclusion, this study opens new avenues for exploring the neural basis of mental imagery. As researchers continue to unravel the complexities of aphantasia, the findings may not only enhance the scientific community's understanding of mental representation but also contribute to potential therapeutic strategies for individuals who experience challenges with visualization. This research signifies a leap forward in cognitive neuroscience, illustrating the intricate relationship between brain activity and conscious experience.

The study titled "Imageless imagery in aphantasia revealed by early visual cortex decoding" highlights the necessity for continued exploration into how the brain encodes information during imagery attempts, paving the way for a deeper comprehension of visual consciousness and its neural underpinnings.