Brain activity changes induced by open and closed eyes during low-g maneuvers

Abstract

The present work reports and discuses the changes in brain bioelectrical signals induced on normal subjects by open and closed eyes during their first parabolic flight in a small aerobatic plane. A parabolic flight maneuver is characterized by gravity changes from 1g to ~3g (first hypergravity phase, P1) to ~0.05g (hypogravity phase, P2) to ~ 2g (second hypergravity phase, P3) to 1g (inflight phase, B1). EEG signals have been obtained using a 14 channels EMOTIV EPOC device. Digital preprocessing techniques have been applied in order to properly clean all the experimental signals. Standardized Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (sLORETA) allowed obtaining intracranial activity. Statistical analysis of this intracranial activity was performed by using analysis of variance techniques (ANOVA). If ANOVA results were significant, post-hoc analyses were carried out. The results clearly show a decreasing of the intracranial activity during the hypogravity phase with open and closed eyes. Concerning mean values, significant differences have been detected between the hypogravity, P2, and both hypergravity phases, P1 and P3. Significant differences have also been detected for open eyes, by lobes. To check if intracranial activity presents significant differences along the phases, Even Related Potential, ERP, analyses were carried out. For both open and closed eyes tests, sLORETA images show statistical significant differences in the Brodmann areas 18 (Left Occipital Lobe) and 39 (Right Temporal Lobe) between B1-P2, respectively.