About 2 years ago, researchers reported the discovery of the so-called "Halle Berry cell" in the human brain. This, and similar cells which respond selectively to other well-known celebrities, famous landmarks or categories of objects are located on the medial surface of the temporal lobe.

The same group of researchers now report that they can decode the activity of these cells to predict what people are seeing. The ability to decode this neural activity will prove to be very useful in the development of brain-computer interfaces for amputees and paralyzed patients.

The cells in question were identified in epileptic patients who did not respond to drugs and  were therefore treated surgically. Prior to the operation, clinicians electrically stimulate the brain of the conscious patient in order to determine the focus of the abnormal electrical activity causing the seizures.