Elevated Blink Rates Predict Mind Wandering: Dopaminergic Insights into Attention and Task Focus

Riby, Leigh M.; Marr, Lewis; Barron-Millar, Lynn; Greer, Joanna; Hamilton, Colin Joseph; McGann, Deborah; Smallwood, Jonathan · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.31083/jin26508

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This study investigates the neural correlates of mind wandering by examining the relationship between dopaminergic activity, indexed by eyeblink rate (EBR) and variability (EBV), and cognitive control during task performance. Motivated by the established link between central dopamine levels and EBR, the research aims to clarify how dopaminergic function influences the shift between task-unrelated thought (TUT) and task-related thought (TRT). The authors hypothesize that elevated EBR and EBV, reflecting heightened dopaminergic activity, are associated with increased mind wandering, while lower blink metrics correlate with sustained task focus. The study employed a 3-stimulus visual oddball paradigm with 24 adult participants. Data collection included vertical electrooculogram recordings for EBR and EBV, and event-related potentials (ERPs) to measure the P3a component at Fz and Cz electrode sites. Participants discriminated between target, novel, and standard stimuli. Following the task, participants completed the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire (DSSQ) to retrospectively assess TUT and TRT. Additionally, reaction times were analyzed using ex-Gaussian decomposition to derive Mu (mean processing speed), Sigma (variability), and Tau (attentional lapses), providing a nuanced view of attentional dynamics. Results indicated that higher EBR significantly predicted increased TUT, explaining 34.1% of the variance in the initial model and 45.6% when combined with Mu. This suggests a link between elevated dopaminergic activity and mind wandering. Conversely, TRT was significantly predicted by P3a amplitude at the Fz site, indicating that greater neural engagement with stimuli supports task-related focus. Behavioral analysis revealed that EBR and EBV were negatively correlated with Sigma, implying that higher blink rates are associated with more stable cognitive states. However, Tau positively correlated with blink variability and P3a amplitudes, linking attentional lapses to these physiological markers. Regression analyses confirmed that EBR and Mu predicted TUT, while P3a amplitude predicted TRT. The findings underscore the critical role of dopamine in regulating attentional shifts between internal and external focus. The study validates EBR as a non-invasive proxy for dopaminergic activity in the context of mind wandering, supporting the view that dopamine facilitates the cognitive flexibility required for disengaging from tasks. Furthermore, the integration of ex-Gaussian analysis provides a robust method for dissecting the complex attentional processes underlying mind wandering, distinguishing between general processing speed, stability, and specific attentional lapses. These results contribute to a more holistic understanding of the neurocognitive mechanisms governing attention and suggest practical tools for assessing cognitive engagement in both research and clinical settings.

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• mind wandering
• cognitive

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• Empirical Findings: behavioral performance data