Neuroergonomics for Aviation

Neuroergonomics is the study of how the brain functions in real-world situations with the goal of developing technology to enhance human performance. Neuroergonomics constitutes a paradigm shift away from the standard reductionist approach to neuroscience. The neuroergonomic approach maintains that an understanding of neural processes underlying human behavior can best be understood by investigating the underlying interacting brain networks in the context of carrying out various real-world tasks under investigation, rather than under reduced isolated conditions that only occur in the laboratory. In this chapter we discuss why aerospace cerebral experimental sciences (ACES) is an ideal paradigm to implement this neuroergonomic approach. By using a combination of high resolution and lower resolution portable brain imaging techniques as well as non-invasive brain stimulation the goal of ACES is to determine brain processes underlying complex behavior during aviation and space operations such that neuroergonomic technology can be developed to improve human performance.