Acceleration of image analyst training with transcranial direct current stimulation.

Abstract

Humans today are routinely and increasingly presented with vast quantities of data that challenge their capacity for efficient processing. To restore the balance between man and machine, it is worthwhile to explore new methods for enhancing or accelerating this capacity. This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of transcranial DC stimulation (tDCS) to reduce training time and increase proficiency in spatial recognition using a simulated synthetic aperture radar (SAR) task. Twenty-seven Air Force active duty members volunteered to participate in the study. Each participant was assigned to 1 of 3 stimulation groups and received two, 90-min training sessions on a target search and identification task using SAR imagery followed by a test. The tDCS anode was applied to site F10 according to the 10–20 electroencephalographic electrode convention while the cathode was placed on the contralateral bicep. Group 1 received anodal tDCS at 2 mA for 30 min in the first training session and sham tDCS in the second session. Group 2 received the stimulation conditions in the opposite order. Group 3 did not receive stimulation at all. Results showed that participants receiving training plus tDCS attained visual search accuracies ∼25% higher than those provided with sham stimulation or no stimulation. However, a corresponding performance improvement was not found in the first training session for the change detection portion of the task. This indicates that experience with the imagery is important in the tDCS-elicited performance improvements in change detection.

Direct Current Stimulation Alters Neuronal Input/Output Function

“…Until recently [12], the argument typically focused on somatic polarization of pyramidal cells, and tended to ignore the simultaneous opposite polarization of apical dendritites. The more detailed analysis provided here for the interaction of these two effects provides a possible explanation for the numerous findings that anodal and cathodal effects are not of equal strength in many human and animal studies [18]–[20], [24], [74], anodal often having a stronger effect [21]–[23], [25], [26]. The computational model suggests that the region under the anode has increased excitability, with a higher likelihood of firing for a given synaptic input.…”

Augmenting Visual Search Performance with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

“…shown that applying anodal stimulation over the dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex accelerated the training time for image analyst (McKinley, McIntire, Bridges, Goodyear, & Weisend, 2013). This demonstrated that tDCS technology could be used to accelerate learning and reduce errors during a monotonous task.…”

How Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Might Invade Our Sphere of Justice

“…Despite the caution and even skepticism of the scientific community, numerous studies report improvements in the performance of specific tasks following the application of tDCS. Among the areas of enhancement for which there are published studies, we wish to highlight memory, reading, mood, learning, perception, mathematical cognition, decision-making, motor skills, creativity, motivation, and moral reasoning (Cohen Kadosh et al 2010;Callaway 2013;Snowball et al 2013;Meinzer et al 2013;Chi and Snyder 2012;Hauser et al 2013;McKinley et al 2013;Mayseless and Shamay-Tsoory 2015;Podda et al 2016;Brunoni and Vanderhasselt 2014;Cappelletti et al 2013).…”