New research into how the brain processes illusions bombarded mice’s neural cells with lasers, artificially reproducing the brain activity associated with false pattern recognition. “We also know that they receive top-down inputs from higher visual areas,” Shin continued. Remarkably, the same brain activity patterns appeared even when no illusion was present. The findings help clarify the brain’s hierarchy, showing how higher regions instruct the lower visual cortex, much like a supervisor directing an employee. Higher levels then direct the visual cortex to “see” what isn’t actually present—something the visual cortex alone wouldn’t detect.