Study uncovers brain processes that help distinguish reality from imagination

A new study has uncovered the processes occurring in the brain that help an individual distinguish between what's real and what they might be imagining.

- 

The findings published in the journal Neuron could help understand how cognitive processes go haywire in psychosis - a mental state in which one loses touch with reality.

Psychosis is a symptom of mental illness such as schizophrenia and the mania phase of bipolar disorder, according to researchers.

'Fusiform gyrus’ - part of the visual cortex, located behind one's temples and involved in processing visuals - helps the brain determine whether what we are seeing is from the external world or generated by our imagination, the researchers from University College London said.

The team asked 26 participants to look for a specific faint pattern of a grating in images of staircases and indicate whether it was present or not. The pattern was presented only half the time.