Radiologists flex 'x-ray vision'

A study from Switzerland presented at the 2005 European Congress of Radiology found that radiologists have a supersensibility that enables them to mentally create 3D representations of objects.

Dr. Sven Haller and colleagues from University Hospital Basel asked a group of 24 people, half of whom were experienced radiologists, to differentiate between original and manipulated images. The visual cues were both radiographic and nonradiographic in nature.

Functional MRI showed that radiologists' brains reacted more strongly to radiologic images than did the brains of controls. Haller suggested that radiologic experience modifies neuronal representation, giving radiologists visual powers beyond mere mortals.

The researchers did not test whether radiologists are faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive.