People often see the world in similar ways, even though each brain works differently. Imagine two friends watching a video of a dog on a beach. Both say, "A dog on the beach." How is this possible? Brains have billions of neurons, and each person's neurons connect in a unique way. Yet, people share perceptions.
Researchers from Reichman University and the Weizmann Institute of Science studied this puzzle. They used brain scans from epilepsy patients. These patients had electrodes implanted in their brains to find seizure spots. The sensors recorded live neuron activity as patients viewed images like cats or dogs.
Most brain scans give blurry views, like a photo from far away. But these electrodes showed clear, real-time neuron firing - when cells "light up" with activity.
The study found that raw neuron patterns differ between people. For one person, certain neurons fire for a cat. For another, different neurons fire for the same cat.
A key discovery in relational coding
Here is the main finding: When researchers looked at relationships between patterns - not the raw activity - everyone's brains matched. For example, if one brain responds more like a cat than a dog or elephant, all brains do the same. This shared structure lets people perceive things alike.
Relational representation means the brain focuses on links, not exact patterns. It organizes information so humans understand the world together.
The researchets said this decodes the brain's "representational code" - how it stores data. The work links neuroscience and AI. Brain insights can improve AI. AI can teach us about brains. This study compares natural and artificial networks for better understanding.
The discovery advances science. It explains shared human experience and guides smarter technology. Next time you see a dog on a beach, know your brain uses this clever code.
The researchers have shared the methods and results of this study in a paper published in Nature Communications.