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A type of brain activity linked to arousal and attention can track mind wandering. But research conflicts on whether this activity promotes or hinders mind wandering. Esther Thielking of Barnard College and colleagues explored whether having the eyes open or closed changes the relationship between this brain activity and mind wandering.
Said Thielking, “We predicted that eye state might explain these conflicts because closing the eyes strengthens [this brain activity] and reverses its relationship with sleepiness, which is itself closely tied to mind wandering.”
As reported in their JNeurosci paper, the researchers recorded brain activity in adults with their eyes open or closed as they performed a task involving paying attention to sounds or letting their minds wander.
Participants also reported their level of alertness or sleepiness. Those with open eyes had increased brain activity that preceded mind wandering and sleepiness. However, those with closed eyes experienced this kind of brain activity when they were focused on the task and alert.
Said Thielking, “These findings emphasize the importance of considering context and brain state when developing readouts of a person’s attention and mental experience from brain signals.”
Publication details
Opposite Effects of Alpha Oscillations on Mind-Wandering with Eyes Open and Closed, JNeurosci (2026). DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0133-26.2026
Journal information:
Journal of Neuroscience
Clinical categories
Citation:
Mind-wandering mechanisms change depending on eye state (2026, July 27)
retrieved 27 July 2026
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-07-mind-mechanisms-eye-state.html
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