Exploring Phantasy and Aphantasia: Visual Perception in Different Minds

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Researchers from the Paris Brain Institute explored phantasy, a rare thought variant where individuals struggle to shape mental images in their minds. The study, published in the Cortex journal, sheds light on how this condition alters visual processing without erasing other kinds of memory or perception.

Some people with phantasy experience difficulty recalling pictures of friends, family, or familiar faces. Yet they may retain specific features, such as a mother’s hair color. Aphantasia exists in different forms: some are born with it, while others acquire it after a head injury or a stroke. The study drew volunteers across three groups to compare how visual imagery and recognition operate in distinct brains.

In total, 117 participants joined the research. Among them, 44 identified as aphanthetes, 31 as hyperfantasy observers who can imagine intricate details vividly, and 42 displayed typical visualization abilities. Each subject underwent a series of visual perception tests. They were shown a range of objects and asked to compare attributes such as shape, color, and size.

Findings indicated that those with phantasy were slower at processing imagined imagery. The delay was most evident when the task required judging shapes or colors. Additionally, individuals in this group often questioned the accuracy of their responses, indicating a distinctive confidence pattern in visual judgments.

Lead neuroscientist Paolo Bartolomeo described the implications: the fantastic group can perceive actual elements of reality and maintain normal memory and language skills. The research suggests a subtle disruption in a concept the team calls factual consciousness. In practical terms, these individuals access information about form, color, and spatial relationships, yet this information does not translate into vivid mental pictures during conscious experience.

The team aims to map the neural mechanisms behind phantasy more precisely. A deeper understanding of these processes could guide the development of therapeutic tools for trauma-related conditions. The researchers envision strategies to help patients manage distressing images that intrude into memory, potentially improving outcomes for those coping with post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Historically, scientists have pinpointed brain regions linked to delusions and hallucinations, but this study adds another layer by connecting imagery, perception, and memory in healthy and affected minds. Ongoing work seeks to clarify how these neural networks interact and how they might be influenced by targeted interventions. The ultimate goal is to translate these insights into practical approaches that support individuals who experience challenging inner imagery while respecting the diversity of human cognition.

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