“Combat pilots have some interesting similarities to astronauts, such as exposure to varying g levels, the need to interpret visual and head movement and acceleration information,” said Floris Wuyts, senior author of the study.
The study examined the brains of F16 fighter pilots, comparing the differences between male pilots with an average of 1,025 hours of F16 flight experience and a non-pilot control group. Study participants were given MRI scans to see how different parts of the brain interacted with each other. In addition to examining differences in brain function between pilots and non-pilots, the researchers also examined whether the amount of flight time a pilot accumulates affects brain functional connectivity and neuroplasticity.
Comparisons between pilots and non-pilots showed that pilots showed stronger connectivity between brain regions that process visual information and brain regions that process information about changes in head position, orientation, and movement. Pilots with more flight hours showed more brain changes than less experienced pilots, suggesting that neuroplasticity increases proportionally with flight experience.
Additionally, more experienced pilots showed increased connectivity in areas of the brain responsible for processing the complex information needed to fly a jet plane.
Source: Ferra
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