Neural Correlates of Simple Sensomotor Reaction as Markers of Information Processing Speed in Military Veterans

Abstract

We examined the latent periods (LP) of simple sensorimo- tor reaction (SSMR) and peculiarities of brain connectiv- ity during carrying out tests on SSMR in the group of veterans of Joint Forces Operation (JFO) and in military men-patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). To this aim, we used a computer test with coherent analysis of EEG. Differences in brain activation were analyzed by LORETA method. It was shown that the speed of SSMR in the group of JFO veterans was significantly lower than in the con- trol group. The LP of SSMR in the group of JFO veterans were 279 ms vs 258 ms in the control group. Comparative analysis of SSMR LP in the group of JFO veterans and in the group with PTSD as well as group with mTBI did not reveal significant differences. The EEG study and coherent analysis showed a significant decrease in the brain connectivity in the group of JFO veterans compared to control group, especially in the low frequency ranges. There were no significant differences in brain activation between the JFO veterans, PTSD and mTBI patients, but JFO veterans had significantly lower activation of cu- neus, middle occipital gyrus and lingual gyrus compared to control group. Conclusively, in order to detect hidden brain lesions, an additional medical examination may be recommended for JFO veterans.