Imagery and the Brain

Question 1

Kreiman et al

Answer 1

Same neurons respond to perceiving vs. imagining an object

Question 2

Le Bihan et al

Answer 2

Both real and imaged visual stimuli activate similar areas in the visual cortex

Question 3

Ganis and coworkers

Answer 3

Some studies suggest perception vs. imagery differences…

Compare real vs. imagined visual stimuli
Stronger activation for real stimuli in visual cortex

Question 4

Amedi et al

Answer 4

Various similar activations for real vs. imagined
BUT with imagined, less activity for other sensory areas

Imagined imagery is more fragile, can be interfered with

Question 5

Kosslyn et al

Answer 5

TMS applied to visual brain area during both perception and imagery task
Reaction time slower for both tasks when TMW applied to visual area
Suggests visual area brain activity plays role in both visual perception and visual imagery

Question 6

Farah: M.G.S.

Answer 6

Patient with removed right occipital lobe
Visual brain area damage decreased both perceptual visual field and size of image visual field
So, in mental walk, horse filled up imagined visual field from further away
Again, strong perception/imagery relationship

Question 7

Bisiach & Luzzatti

Answer 7

Patient with unilateral neglect
Depending on whether patient imagined familiar location from one end or the other, left side was neglected
Again, strong perception/imagery link