News Neuroscience

Seeing and imagining activate some of the same brain cells

A new study looking at individual neurons uncovers some of how the mind's eye works

A woman closes her eyes and leans back on a couch

The ability to create mental pictures helps us to remember, plan, navigate and create works of art.

Olga Pankova/Moment/Getty Images

By Diana Kwon

The ability to conjure pictures in the mind’s eye enables us to remember the past and imagine the future. It also allows us to plan, navigate and create works of art.