In the brain, objects seen and imagined follow the same neural path

NPR reports on neuroscience research finding that the brain activates the same neural pathways and uses identical neural codes whether perceiving objects visually or imagining them mentally, helping explain why mental images can feel realistic. The article is bylined to Jon Hamilton, NPR's health and science correspondent, and appears to draw from peer-reviewed research (corroborating sources cite a Cedars-Sinai study published in Science). The reporting maintains a factual, explanatory tone appropriate to the scientific discovery without sensationalism. Independent coverage from Science News, Cedars-Sinai, and science publications confirms the core finding about shared neural mechanisms, though the NPR metadata provided does not include specific details about methodology, sample size, or named researchers that would indicate fuller depth—those details may be in the full article body. Watch for how this research advances understanding of neuroplasticity, memory formation, and potential applications in treating visual processing disorders or mental imagery-based therapies.