EEG Alpha and Gamma Modulators Mediate Motion Sickness-Related Spectral Responses

Abstract

Motion sickness (MS) is a common experience of travelers. To provide insights into brain dynamics associated with MS, this study recruited 19 subjects to participate in an electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment in a virtual-reality driving environment. When riding on consecutive winding roads, subjects experienced postural instability and sensory conflict between visual and vestibular stimuli. Meanwhile, subjects rated their level of MS on a six-point scale. Independent component analysis (ICA) was used to separate the filtered EEG signals into maximally temporally independent components (ICs). Then, reduced logarithmic spectra of ICs of interest, using principal component analysis, were decomposed by ICA again to find spectrally fixed and temporally independent modulators (IMs). Results demonstrated that a higher degree of MS accompanied increased activation of alpha (r = 0.421) and gamma (r =0.478) IMs across remote-independent brain processes, covering motor, parietal and occipital areas. This co-modulatory spectral change in alpha and gamma bands revealed the neurophysiological demand to regulate conflicts among multi-modal sensory systems during MS.

What is nausea? A historical analysis of changing views

“…Some studies reported variations in the electroencephalogram (EEG) during motion sickness (Arsalan Naqvi et al, 2015; Chelen et al, 1993; Chen et al, 2010; Chuang et al, 2016; Hu et al, 1999; Lin et al, 2007; Lutz, 1979; Park et al, 2008). A variety of changes in cognitive state are associated with alterations in the EEG, including fatigue and reduced alertness (Clayton et al, 2015; Huang et al, 2016; Wascher et al, 2014).…”

65‐3: The Quantization of Cybersickness Level Using EEG and ECG for Virtual Reality Head‐Mounted Display

“…There are some prior arts about EEG and ECG change in the conditions similar to cybersickness. Chuang et al demonstrated that a higher level of motion sickness accompanied increased activation of alpha (8-13Hz) and gamma band (>32Hz) [3]. Besides, Park et al analyzed the subjects' visual fatigue caused by 3D image through the ECG experiment.…”

Psychophysiological Alteration After Virtual Reality Experiences Using Smartphone-Assisted Head Mount Displays: An EEG-Based Source Localization Study

“…These results suggest that alpha band power could be significantly related to the VR experience. The previous VR based driving simulation experiments have mainly reported changes in alpha band (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) [38,39], when participants felt tired after VR experiences. The increase in alpha band power has been shown to be negatively related to cortical activity [40][41][42].…”