Story perspectives

Aphantasia Affects 4%: Insights from Neuroscience Study

2/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers Mac Shine, a systems neuroscientist, and Adam Zeman, a neurologist, study aphantasia and report that it affects about 4% of the population.
They observe that those with aphantasia can perform tasks that rely on mental imagery but lack any visual experience when imagining.
Evidence suggests a genetic component and that aphantasia may be more prevalent among scientific professionals, while brain activity represents sensory information not consciously accessed.

1 of 1

Story summary

Researchers Mac Shine, a systems neuroscientist, and Adam Zeman, a neurologist, study aphantasia and report that it affects about 4% of the population.
They observe that those with aphantasia can perform tasks that rely on mental imagery but lack any visual experience when imagining.
Evidence suggests a genetic component and that aphantasia may be more prevalent among scientific professionals, while brain activity represents sensory information not consciously accessed.