Research

Attention, Mind Wandering, and Spontaneous Thought

I study the wandering mind through examination of variability and systematic change in cognitive task performance over time, self-reported experience, and the evolving dynamics of electrophysiological brain states. I use experience sampling methods to capture episodes of mind wandering and spontaneous thought in situ, and apply dynamic and multivariate analytic methods to understand their temporal dynamics and connect them with spontaneous activity in the brain.

Selected Publications:

Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Barry, J., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Mind wandering Is associated with worsening attentional vigilance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0001233
Zanesco, A. P., Van Dam, T. N., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Measuring mind wandering with experience sampling during task performance: An item response theory investigation. Behavior Research Methods, 56(7), 7707–7727. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-024-02446-9
Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Mind-wandering increases in frequency over time during task performance: An individual-participant meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000424
Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2022). Examining long-range temporal dependence in experience sampling reports of mind wandering. Computational Brain & Behavior, 5, 217-233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42113-022-00130-9
Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2021). Associations between self-reported spontaneous thought and temporal sequences of EEG microstates. Brain and Cognition, 150, 105696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105696
Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2021). Self-reported mind wandering and response time variability differentiate pre-stimulus electroencephalogram microstate dynamics during a sustained attention task. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 33(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01636
Zanesco, A. P., Witkin, J. E., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2020). Experience sampling of the degree of mind wandering distinguishes hidden attentional states. Cognition, 205, 104380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2020.104380
Zanesco, A.P. (2020). Quantifying streams of thought during cognitive task performance using sequence analysis. Behavior Research Methods, 52, 2417-2437. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01416-1

Mindful Attention and Meditation

My research also explores the effects of mindfulness and meditation practices on the attentional capabilities of practitioners. This research has involved several longitudinal and randomized controlled studies demonstrating behavioral, self-reported, and electrophysiological (event-related potentials and spontaneous EEG) evidence for increased perceptual processing and sustained attention following standardized mindfulness interventions and longer-term meditation retreats.

Selected Publications:

Zanesco, A. P., Skwara, A. C., King, B. G., Powers, C., Wineberg, K., & Saron, C. D. (2021). Meditation training modulates brain electric microstates and felt states of awareness. Human Brain Mapping, 42(10), 3228-3252. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.25430
Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Powers, C., De Meo, R., Wineberg, K., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2019). Modulation of event-related potentials of visual discrimination by meditation training and sustained attention. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 31(8), 1184-1204. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01419
Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Rogers, S. L., MacNulty, W. K., & Jha, A. P. (2019). Mindfulness training as cognitive training in high-demand cohorts: An initial study in elite military servicemembers. Progress in Brain Research, 244, 323-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.001
Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2018). Cognitive aging and long-term maintenance of attentional improvements following meditation training. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 2, 259-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-018-0068-1
Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., MacLean, K. A., Jacobs, T. L., Aichele, S. R., Wallace, B. A., Smallwood, J., Schooler, J. W., & Saron, C. D. (2016). Meditation training influences mind wandering and mindless reading. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 3(1), 12-33. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000082
Zanesco A. P., King B. G., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2013). Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7:566. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00566

Brain Electric Microstates

Another aspect of my research focuses on understanding the millisecond dynamics of electrophysiological brain states and their functional significance for cognition. Microstates are characteristic patterns in the topography of the electric field in scalp recorded EEG. Microstates reflect transient neural events resulting from large-scale co-fluctuations in the activity of functional brain networks predominating at specific moments in time.

Selected Publications:

Zanesco, A. P. (2024). Normative temporal dynamics of resting EEG microstates. Brain Topography, 37(2), 243-264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-01004-4
Takarae, Y., Zanesco, A. P., Erickson, C. A., & Pedapati, E. V. (2023). EEG microstates as markers for cognitive impairments in Fragile X syndrome. Brain Topography. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-01009-z
Takarae, Y., Zanesco, A. P., Keehn, B., Chukoskie, L., Müller, R. A., & Townsend, J. (2022). EEG microstates suggest atypical resting-state network activity in high-functioning children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Development. Developmental Science, 24(4), e13231. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13231
Zanesco, A. P. (2020). EEG electric field topography is stable during moments of high field strength. Brain Topography, 33, 450-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-020-00780-7
Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Skwara, A. C., & Saron, C. D. (2020). Within and between-person correlates of the temporal dynamics of resting EEG microstates. NeuroImage, 211, 116631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116631