Stereoscopic cerebral evoked potentials of Air Force pilots and civilian comparison groups.

Dynamic random-dot stereograms were presented to Air Force jet pilots (N = 14) through a new visual display system. Games which simulated target-detection exercises were included in the test sequence. Event-related potentials were recorded at scalp sites 01, 02, T5, T6, referenced to an anterior midline site. Comparisons were made where possible with the data from recent studies on three civilian groups. A pattern of response was revealed in the event-related potential measures. In general, left-hemisphere amplitudes exceeded right and the predominant response was recorded at the left-temporal site. Amplitudes of responses in subjects able to describe the stimuli in subjective report (perceivers) exceeded those of non-perceivers. Stimuli with definite boundaries evoked stronger and earlier-latency responses than stimuli with nebulous boundaries. The response patterns of subjects make a contribution to normative data on the cerebral electrical indices of stereoscopic vision.