AFRL Untiring in Fatigue Countermeasure Pursuits

  • Published
  • By Dr. Lynn Caldwell
  • 711th Human Performance Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Air Force Research Laboratory and industry partner Kettering Innovation Center are conducting state-of-the-art research investigating why some individuals are resistant to fatigue while others are not. The team's latest effort involves functional magnetic resonance imaging, the results of which will aid in determining whether substantial differences exist in the brain activity patterns of wakeful people compared to those who have trouble staying awake. In order to establish a representative database of Air Force test subjects, KIC will perform the MRIs--more than 100 total--both on rested and on sleep-deprived individuals.

A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between the AF and Kettering Health Network is facilitating the work, with Siemens Medical Solutions providing its latest imaging technology at KIC. Also participating are the University of Dayton Research Institute and Qbase, a data management and analytics company charged with securing funding for further studies.

Overseeing the endeavor is Dr. J. Lynn Caldwell, a top fatigue countermeasures expert at AFRL. Dr. Caldwell stresses that while scientists can already identify people who are resistant to fatigue versus those prone to its effects, much remains to be discovered regarding the causes underlying such distinctions. Accordingly, ongoing research is geared towards learning whether a particular chemical is involved. This recent activity actually marks the second time Dr. Caldwell has participated in research using MRIs. The first instance was in 2004, when a study entailing brain scans of AF fighter pilots revealed this community's fatigue resistance as higher than that of the general civilian population. That earlier milestone research now serves as the foundation for the present undertaking.

Unlocking the mystery of why some individuals can stay awake and perform well on a small amount of sleep will ultimately help experts develop courses of action to assist people in overcoming fatigue. Consequently, the results of this--and future--fatigue countermeasures research stand to benefit military and civilian interests alike.