What Does Eye-Blink Rate Variability Dynamics Tell Us About Cognitive Performance?

Abstract

Cognitive performance is defined as the ability to utilize knowledge, attention, memory, and working memory. In this study, we briefly discuss various markers that have been proposed to predict cognitive performance. Next, we develop a novel approach to characterize cognitive performance by analyzing eye-blink rate variability dynamics. Our findings are based on a sample of 24 subjects. The subjects were given a 5-min resting period prior to a 10-min IQ test. During both stages, eye blinks were recorded from Fp1 and Fp2 electrodes. We found that scale exponents estimated for blink rate variability during rest were correlated with subjects' performance on the subsequent IQ test. This surprising phenomenon could be explained by the person to person variation in concentrations of dopamine in PFC and accumulation of GABA in the visual cortex, as both neurotransmitters play a key role in cognitive processes and affect blinking. This study demonstrates the possibility that blink rate variability dynamics at rest carry information about cognitive performance and can be employed in the assessment of cognitive abilities without taking a test.

Rapid serial blinks: An index of temporally increased cognitive load

“…In previous study, researchers often used blink provability [9] or proportions of blinks [10] to capture the variation of blink patterns during cognitive task. The RSB would be another index of cognitive load during tasks.…”

“…Blink timings were detected using an eye-tracking device, The Eye Tribe (The Eye Tribe, Copenhagen, 30 Hz). Previous research has utilized optical measurements of blinks [9]. In this study, blink timing was operationally defined as the disappearance of pupils for serial three frames due to the eyelids, while the face of the participant was detected (for detail see, Ref.…”

“…In recent years, some researchers have proposed that characteristics of spontaneous blinks relates to individual differences in cognitive performances. In a resting situation, spontaneous blink rates variability predicts the performance on the subsequent IQ test [9]. In experiments, blink rates immediately increase after finishing cognitive tasks while blinks are suppressed during cognitive events.…”

Humanoid Eyes: Perspective & Challenges

“…We now may know why when the pupil dilates, the lens become more rounded, likely, to gives the external stimuli greater accessibility to the retinal peripheries, and thus, faster visual awareness that seems to be very important for all of the aforementioned situations; situations that may require faster action. Blinks, however, can estimate the cognitive workload; namely, Blink Rate Variability can determine the IQ-test scores for human subjects, (Paprocki, 2017). Namely, blink rate variability is positively correlated with the intelligence of human subjects.…”

Physiological correlates of cognitive load in laparoscopic surgery

“…These endogenous eye blinks occur more frequently than needed for maintaining the corneal tear film, which may be their primary function 39 . Endogenous blinks (in contrast with the protective reflex and voluntary ones) are driven in part by dopaminergic processes originating from basal ganglia, and their frequency and duration reflect mental states [40][41][42] . Since blinks momentarily block vision, it is plausible that they would be suppressed when expecting important visual input.…”