Neurobehavioral Effects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Exposure in Humans: ExperimentalDesign and Instrumentation for a Field Experiment

摘要

This report concerns the design of a field experiment for a military setting inwhich the effects of carbon monoxide on neurobehavioral variables are to be studied. A field experiment is distinguished from a survey by the fact that independent variables are manipulated, just as in the laboratory. Thus, causal relationships may be discovered rather than correlations. It was proposed to study the effects of multiple levels of Co exposure on compensatory tracking (main gun pointing at a target in a tank), electroencephalogram spectra and speech discrimination. Factors which govern the experimental design were considered in detail. Statistical and control matters were discussed. Many measurements which were proposed required special instrumentation. The control of the experiment and the acquisition of data required the interconnection of the special instrumentation with equipment at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The present report documents the development and/or testing of some of the special equipment (EEG helmet, facemask, control and data acquisition system) and specifies how it is to be connected to the other equipment to make a working system.... RA 3, Chemical study, Carbon monoxide, Neurobehavioral effects.