How our brains create and use mental pictures
Seen and mental images in visual cortex
This work explores how our brains create and use mental images, like when we remember a face or imagine a scene, to help us think and understand the world.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11110505 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are trying to understand how mental imagery helps us think, especially when we compare what we see with what we remember or imagine. To do this, we will measure brain activity in people as they imagine things and complete tasks that require them to compare images on a screen with images they've been asked to remember. We will use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to understand individual mental images from this brain data. This information will then help us predict how the brain and behavior work during these tasks, aiming to uncover the functional role of mental imagery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People interested in understanding how the brain creates and uses mental images, and who are able to participate in brain activity measurements, might be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment for a specific condition may not directly benefit from this foundational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new tools and approaches for improving mental health by better understanding how our minds use mental imagery.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of mental imagery is recognized, very little is currently known about its precise functional and computational role in cognition, making this a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naselaris, Thomas P — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Naselaris, Thomas P
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.