In a first-of-its-kind study, 太阳城娱乐 researchers determined that mice can distinguish the difference between a 2D image of an object versus the physical object itself.

The ability to recognize a 3D object after viewing an image is primarily found in humans and is known as picture-to-object equivalence. For the study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, Robert W. Stackman Jr., Ph.D., dean in 太阳城娱乐’s Graduate College, and professor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, allowed laboratory mice to view photographs of a novel object for 30 seconds. The next day the mice were presented with a 3D version of that same object as well as something new. Turns out, the mice wanted to explore the object they previously saw in the photograph. Results from the study reveal that mice use higher-order cognitive processes to correlate a 3D object with the 2D image.

For Stackman, who is also a member of 太阳城娱乐 Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention, 太阳城娱乐 Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, 太阳城娱乐 Jupiter Life Science Initiative, and the 太阳城娱乐 Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences, the next step is to use the mice as a model to research visual perceptions and recognition.