Don't sleep at the wheel!

Many people believe that mistakes when performing monotonous work are the result of momentary interruptions in human brain activity or concentration, but scientists at the University of Bergen (Norway), working under the guidance of Dr. Tom Eichele, argue that this is not the case at all.

Everyone knows the feeling when it seems that the brain has suddenly lost the ability to perceive information and needs rest. Scientists claim that in such cases, there is a redistribution of blood in the brain tissues. Blood rushes to the regions of the brain that are most active at rest and, approximately 30 seconds after the start of this process, the probability of making a mistake increases as much as possible.

The authors believe that the creation of a warning system that would inform a person about the need to concentrate will significantly improve safety when driving a car and in workplaces where an increased level of attention is required. All existing systems of this kind react to a change in the user's condition – for example, they are triggered when the driver has already started to "nod off" or there are no changes in skin conductivity or potential difference between the back and palm surfaces of the hand for a certain time, i.e. he does not react with a galvanic skin reflex to changes in the environment.

At the moment, registration of changes in brain activity is possible only with the help of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the equipment for which is quite cumbersome.

Specialists have already begun work on the creation of a wireless, portable and low-weight device for recording an electroencephalogram, which could, for example, be strengthened on the head of a person engaged in monotonous work. They believe that in 10-15 years the first such device may appear on the market.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on ABC materials

24.04.2008