Eyes-open and eyes-closed resting states differentially modulate intra-network organization of the default mode...

This study aimed to investigate the effects of eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) resting-state conditions on the functional organization of the default mode network (DMN). Resting-state functional MRI data acquired under EO and EC conditions were analyzed using seed-based functional connectivity and graph-theoretical approaches. Group-averaged DMN connectivity patterns were compared between conditions. Connection-level differences, global topological properties, hub distributions, and highly weighted edges were further examined. The overall DMN connectivity architecture was highly similar between EO and EC conditions, indicating a largely preserved intrinsic network structure. However, significant condition-related differences were observed. At the connection level, EO showed increased functional connectivity between the anterior medial prefrontal cortex and left superior frontal gyrus, and between the left cerebellar tonsil and left cuneus, whereas connectivity between the retrosplenial cortex and left cuneus was reduced compared with EC. At the network level, global efficiency and clustering coefficient differed significantly between conditions, with higher values during EC. Hub and edge analyses further revealed condition-dependent changes in network centrality and connection strength, including the emergence of the right precuneus as a hub in EO and more prominent superior frontal connections in EC. EO and EC resting-state conditions systematically modulate DMN functional organization within an otherwise stable intrinsic architecture. These findings highlight the importance of acquisition condition when interpreting and comparing DMN measures across studies.