Neuronal correlates of eyeblinks are an expression of primary consciousness phenomena

The blinking rate far exceeds that required for moistening the cornea and changes depending on whether a person is resting or engaged in cognitive tasks. During ecological cognitive tasks (such as speaking, reading, and watching videos), blinks occur at breakpoints of attention suggesting a role in information segmentation, but the close relationship between cognition dynamics and blink timing still escapes a full understanding. The aim of the present study is to seek (1) if there is a temporal relationship between blink events and the consecutive steps of cognitive processing, and (2) if blink timing and the intensity of blink-related EEG responses are affected by task-relevance of stimuli. Our results show that, in a classical visual oddball task, (i) the occurrence of blinks is influenced by stimuli, irrespective of their relevance, (ii) blinks following relevant stimuli are only apparently delayed due to the need of finalizing a behavioural response, and (iii) stimulus relevance does not affect the intensity of the blink-related EEG response. This evidence reinforce the idea that blinks are not emitted until the last step of the processing sequence has been completed and suggests that blink-related EEG responses are generated by primary consciousness phenomena which are considered by their nature non-modulable (all-or-nothing) phenomena.

Automated summary

The blinking rate is influenced by cognitive tasks and occurs at breakpoints of attention during ecological cognitive tasks. The present study aims to investigate the temporal relationship between blink events and cognitive processing, as well as the effect of stimulus relevance on blink timing and EEG responses. Results show that blink occurrence is influenced by stimuli and blinks following relevant stimuli are apparently delayed due to finalizing a behavioral response, with no effect on the intensity of blink-related EEG response. This evidence suggests that blinks occur at the last step of processing and blink-related EEG responses are all-or-nothing phenomena.