Temporal and spatial features of slow positive potential related to visual selective response during head-down-tilt

The temporal and spatial features of visual ERP changes during 2 hour HDT (-10 degrees) were compared with that during HUT (+20 degrees) in 15 normal subjects. The stimuli consisted of two color LED flashes appeared randomly in left (LVF) or right (RVF) visual field with the same probability. The subjects were asked to make switch response to target signals (T) differentially: switching to left for T in LVF and to right for T in RVF, and making no response to non-target signals (N). Five sets of tests were made during HUT and HDT. ERPs were obtained from 9 locations on the scalp. Mean amplitude of the ERPs in the period 0.30-0.55 s were taken as the amplitude of slow positive potential (P400). The results obtained were: (1) The mean amplitude of P400 decreased during HDT which was more significant at the 2nd, 3rd and 5th set of tests; (2) spatially, the reduction of mean P400 amplitude during HDT was more significant for signals from RVF and were more significant at posterior and central brain regions than those from frontal locations. These data provide further evidence showing that the higher brain function was affected by the simulated weightlessness and that this effect was not only transient but also with interesting spatial characteristics.