The study investigates the electrophysiological dynamics of the default mode network (DMN) during creative thinking processes, specifically mind wandering and divergent thought. Using stereo-EEG in 13 human patients, the researchers compared neural activity across multiple canonical DMN regions during these tasks. Key findings include: 1. **Task-Specific Recruitment**: The DMN was recruited during both mind wandering and divergent thought tasks, with distinct spatiotemporal response dynamics. 2. **Activity Characteristics**: Compared to the fronto-parietal network, DMN activity showed stronger increases in gamma band power (30–70 Hz) and lower theta band power (4–8 Hz). This difference was particularly pronounced during mind wandering. 3. **Task-Dependent Dynamics**: Within the DMN, different tasks engaged the network in distinct ways. The alternate uses task engaged the DMN more during the initial stage, while mind wandering engaged it more during the later stage. 4. **Causal Manipulations**: Direct cortical stimulation of DMN regions preferentially decreased the originality of responses in the alternate uses task without affecting fluency or mind wandering. 5. **Spatio-Temporal Analysis**: Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that theta and gamma power dynamics provided non-redundant information about the ongoing task, with theta power differences being more prominent during mind wandering and gamma power differences being larger in lateral DMN locations. These findings suggest that the DMN is flexibly modulated by specific cognitive processes and supports its causal role in divergent thinking, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying different forms of cognition.The study investigates the electrophysiological dynamics of the default mode network (DMN) during creative thinking processes, specifically mind wandering and divergent thought. Using stereo-EEG in 13 human patients, the researchers compared neural activity across multiple canonical DMN regions during these tasks. Key findings include: 1. **Task-Specific Recruitment**: The DMN was recruited during both mind wandering and divergent thought tasks, with distinct spatiotemporal response dynamics. 2. **Activity Characteristics**: Compared to the fronto-parietal network, DMN activity showed stronger increases in gamma band power (30–70 Hz) and lower theta band power (4–8 Hz). This difference was particularly pronounced during mind wandering. 3. **Task-Dependent Dynamics**: Within the DMN, different tasks engaged the network in distinct ways. The alternate uses task engaged the DMN more during the initial stage, while mind wandering engaged it more during the later stage. 4. **Causal Manipulations**: Direct cortical stimulation of DMN regions preferentially decreased the originality of responses in the alternate uses task without affecting fluency or mind wandering. 5. **Spatio-Temporal Analysis**: Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that theta and gamma power dynamics provided non-redundant information about the ongoing task, with theta power differences being more prominent during mind wandering and gamma power differences being larger in lateral DMN locations. These findings suggest that the DMN is flexibly modulated by specific cognitive processes and supports its causal role in divergent thinking, providing insights into the neural mechanisms underlying different forms of cognition.