The possibility of using cerebral evoked potentials in the diagnosis of fatigue in flight personnel
Ponomarenko, V.A.; Gorov, S.V.E.; Zhernavkov, O.V.
Kosmicheskaia Biologiia i Aviakosmicheskaia Meditsina 23(4): 21-23
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0321-5040 PMID: 2586055 Document Number: 347167
The applicability of brain evoked potentials to the detection of pilot fatigue was investigated in simulation studies. During landing that followed a 10-hour flight acoustic evoked potentials (AEP) to sound stimuli (clicks), that were indifferent and irrelevant for pilots in terms of their professional work, were recorded. In averaged AEPs, the components N1 and P2 (90 and 175 ms latent periods, respectively) showed highest stability. In response to stimulation the NIP2 (peak-to-peak) amplitude decreased significantly (on the average by 24.5%) when compared to the preflight level. This can be accounted for by the fact that in the state of fatigue man's capability to perceive and process information declines. From the physiological point of view, this change can be associated with the system that supports piloting functions on the dominant basis as well as with response inhibition to an irrelevant signal based on the negative induction mechanism. This finds expression in a lower amplitude of the major components of averaged AEPs.