The maintenance of attention over time influences the dynamics of EEG microstates

Zanesco, Anthony P.; Gross, Abigail M.; Spivey, Delanie J.; Stevenson, Braxton M.; Horn, Lexi F.; Zanelli, Sophia R. · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.3758/s13415-026-01478-2

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Summary

This study investigates how the millisecond temporal dynamics of EEG microstates contribute to the endogenous maintenance of attention and the onset of attentional lapses. While attention is inherently transient, the specific electrophysiological mechanisms governing its decay over time remain unclear. The authors aimed to determine whether the strength and dynamics of specific brain electric microstates differentiate states of focus from inattention and influence sustained attention performance. The researchers employed a modified Sustained Attention to Cue Task (SACT) with 49 participants, recording 128-channel EEG during variable wait time delays (0–40 seconds) where attention had to be maintained endogenously. EEG data were segmented into epochs and subjected to data-driven topographic clustering, identifying six global microstate configurations (A–F). The study analyzed microstate parameters, including prevalence, duration, occurrence rate, and transition probabilities, in relation to target detection accuracy and self-reported mind wandering. Additionally, source localization was used to identify the neural generators of these microstates, and their relationship with prestimulus alpha power was examined. The findings revealed that microstates C and E significantly differentiated correct from incorrect target detections during the wait time delays. Microstate C was associated with inattention, exhibiting greater prevalence and occurrence rates preceding detection errors and mind wandering reports. Its dynamics changed systematically over both short timescales (within wait delays) and long timescales (across the task session), increasing in prevalence as the session progressed. Conversely, microstate E was linked to focused attention. Crucially, microstate C co-occurred with the strongest attention-related modulations in alpha power and predominated within alpha oscillatory episodes. This suggests that the neural generators of microstate C are the primary contributors to the established association between elevated alpha power and reduced cortical excitability during inattention. These results demonstrate that EEG microstates are sensitive markers of variation in attentional states. The study concludes that the millisecond dynamics of specific microstates, particularly C and E, play a critical role in the maintenance of attention over time. By linking microstate C to alpha oscillations and mind wandering, the research provides a mechanistic explanation for how intrinsic neural fluctuations constrain attention span, bridging the gap between large-scale network dynamics and momentary electrophysiological states.

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