21 September 2006 · Journal issue date
Shahar Arzy, Margitta Seeck, Stephanie Ortigue, Laurent Spinelli & Olaf Blanke
Nature · Brief communication
During a clinical evaluation, localised brain stimulation repeatedly produced the sensation of another person nearby. The perceived presence appeared to follow the patient’s posture.
Method
A single patient undergoing presurgical epilepsy assessment received focal stimulation at the left temporoparietal junction. Researchers recorded how the reported presence changed with body position.
What to keep in mind
This clinical observation concerns a particular induced experience in one person. It offers a route for studying felt presences, rather than an explanation of every spontaneous encounter or haunting account.
Original paper & source
Read the original source record →
DOI: 10.1038/443287a
Related full-text or publisher record →
Original one-page communication read from the author’s university-hosted copy; journal citation checked. UKPX reference added and checked 7 November 2026. The date above belongs to the paper.