RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Gevins, A. & Smith, M.E. (2005). Assessing fitness-for-duty and predicting performance with cognitive neurophysiologic measures. In J.A. Caldwell and N.J. Wesensten (Eds.) Biomonitoring for Physiological and Cognitive Performance during Military Operations. Proceedings of SPIE, Vol 5797-18, pp. 127-138.

ABSTRACT

Progress is described in developing a novel test of neurocognitive status suitable for repeated measures contexts such as fitness-for-duty testing. The test combines neurophysiologic (EEG) measures of brain activation with performance measures during a psychometric test of sustained attention and working memory, and then gauges changes in neurocognitive status relative to an individual's baseline. Test sensitivity was greater for the combined neurophysiological and performance measures than for task performance measures by themselves in studies of the effects of common psychoactive substances that can affect job performance, including sedating antihistamines, caffeine, alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications. The neurocognitive effects of overnight sleep deprivation were quite evident, and such effects predicted subsequent performance impairment on a flight simulator program. The test has also demonstrated sensitivity to relatively subtle circadian variations in neurocognitive function. Such findings make the test an attractive candidate measure for assessing readiness-to-perform in critical personnel working in demanding, high risk environments.