How do we
recognize highly variable pictures of the same person as the same? And
how does hearing their voice or name conjure up many of the same feelings of
recognition? Previously, researchers had found brain cells in specific
parts of the brain in people undergoing brain surgery for epilepsy that seemed
to turn on only in response to pictures of individual celebrities. In the
present study, researchers have found these brain cells also respond to
language. For instance, they found an Oprah brain cell that responds to
three pictures of Oprah Winfrey, to her name written on a computer screen, and
to computer synthesized voice saying Oprah. Another brain cell turned on
to different pictures and the written and pronounced names Luke Skywalker from "Star Wars." It's pretty interesting stuff.
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