EEG Indices Distinguish Spatial and Verbal Working Memory Processing: Implications for Real-Time Monitoring in a Closed-Loop Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Simulation

Abstract

This effort focused on developing EEG-derived indicators of verbal versus spatial working memory load. A wireless EEG headset acquired data during execution of both simple and complex tasks associated with a Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS). The results established the feasibility of characterizing EEG correlates specific to verbal and spatial working memory. The next goal is to leverage these real-time working memory indices as a feedback loop to direct closed-loop human-system interaction. Specifically, if the preliminary EEG indices derived in this study, in combination with other physiological or behavioral inputs, are shown to relate to the degree of working memory overload in the TTWCS or similar tasks, they could provide a valuable contribution to real-time adaptive aiding of human-system interaction. 1