The relationship between attention networks and individual differences in visual mental imagery vividness - An EEG study

• Published in: Neuropsychologia 2023-12, Vol.191, p.108736, Article 108736
• Main Authors: Huang, Jing-Ya, Xue, Xiao-Juan, Wang, Zhi-Xin, Li, Ze-Feng, Rui-Su, Wang, Nian-Nian, Huang, Xiao-Yan, Li, Hao, Ma, Hai-Lin, Liu, Ming, Zhang, De-Long
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electroencephalography; Executive Function; Humans; Imagery, Psychotherapy; Imagination - physiology; Individuality
• ISSN: 0028-3932; 1873-3514; 1873-3514
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2023.108736

Previous research has established a strong link between attention and visual mental imagery, but it's remained uncertain whether attention networks influence individual differences in the vividness of visual mental imagery. In our study, we examined 140 participants, assessing the vividness of imagery using the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire in both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. We employed the Attention Network Test, coupled with EEG recording, to characterize three attention sub-networks: alerting, orienting, and executive control. To pinpoint the specific attentional networks associated with the vividness of visual mental imagery, we utilized latent profile analysis to categorize participants into distinct subgroups. Additionally, we constructed a regression mixture model to explore how attention networks predict different latent categories of visual imagery vividness. Our findings revealed that the efficiency of the alerting network, as indicated by the N1 component, demonstrated a positive correlation with the vividness of visual imagery. This electrophysiological evidence underscores the role of the alerting network in shaping individual differences in the vividness of visual mental imagery.