By studying both human and mouse brain activity, our researchers discovered that the process of 'educated guessing' happens in a region of the brain called the hippocampus.
The study, published in the scientific journal Cell, also reveals that brain cells can link different memories while we are resting or sleeping, a process that may be important in creativity.
The research was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Wellcome and was carried out at our MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit by Dr Helen Barron and Dr David Dupret.
The full story is available on the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences website