The effects of 15-day complete fasting on the attentional network: An ERP study

Abstract

This study examined whether and how a 15-day complete fast affects attentional network function. During a 15-day complete fasting, 17 healthy participants completed an attentional network test, while behavioral and EEG data were obtained. EEG results were marginally significant for the interaction between fasting stages and cue hints on the N1 amplitude of the altering network (F _{(3, 48)} = 2.57, p = 0.065, η²_p = 0.14). The interaction between fasting stages and cue hints was marginally significant on the N1 amplitude of the orienting network (F _{(3, 48)} = 2.71, p = 0.056, η²_p = 0.15). The interaction between fasting stages and target types was significant on the N2 amplitude of the executive control network (F _{(3, 48)} = 2.86, p = 0.047, η²_p = 0.15). The main effect of target types was significant on the P3 amplitude (F _{(1, 16)} = 4.71, p = 0.045, η²_p = 0.23). This suggests that participants’ allocation of attentional resources to the three sub-networks of the attentional network was not significantly affected during the 15 days of complete fasting. These study results help further understand the relationship between complete fasting and attentional networks and provide theoretical support and reference for the survival and work of astronauts actively in complete fasting during future near-Earth planet landings or even deep space exploration.