HUMAN INFORMATION PROCESSING IN DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENTS: A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT DURING GZ ACCELERATION

• Published in: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine space, and environmental medicine, 2008-03, Vol.79 (3), p.273-273
• Main Authors: McKinley, R A, Tripp, L, Goodyear, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0095-6562

Introduction: The stress of acceleration-induced hypoxia can have a significant impact on a fighter pilot's cognitive ability to perform critical flight tasks. Because neural tissue requires large amounts of oxygen to function, decreases in regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) can have significant impacts on cognition. The graded nature of G-induced hypoxia indicates that various cognitive functions are not affected equally and largely depend on the anatomic position of the nuclei critical for their execution. This program investigated 12 different abilities relevant to agile flight during high Gz maneuvers. Methods: 10 different experiments were conducted, each probing specific cognitive abilities. For each experiment, 8-10 subjects performed a cognitive performance task during a 3, 5, 7 Gz 15-sec plateau, and a 7 Gz SACM (simulated air combat maneuver) on each of 3 test days. There was a one-minute rest period between each profile. Data collection was performed on the Dynamic Environment Simulator (DES) centrifuge at Wright-Patterson AFB OH. Performance metrics and rSO2 measures were collected and analyzed for each experiment. Results: Analyses of variance showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in performance during the following tasks: tracking, motion inference (fast and slow), relative motion, and peripheral information processing. Additionally, significant declines in rSO2 were found during each of the Gz profiles. Conclusions: The extent of cognitive performance impairment during acceleration stress appears to be linked to the area(s) of the brain that control its function. Those utilizing nuclei dorsal to the horizontal plane are far more sensitive to Gz stress than those that are more ventral. Of course, Gz maximum level, duration, and Gz protection all influence the amount of oxygen supplied to the cortical tissues and consequently, the pilot's cognitive performance. Decrements have been incorporated in an overall cognitive performance model; however it still must be validated. Validation is scheduled for spring 2008.