Georgia Health Sciences University is conducting magnetic imaging testing of the human brain to identify those who can ‘see’ items concealed by camouflage. According to a recent report on Georgia TV station WDRW the research is being funded by the Office of Army Research who is providing more than $500,000 over three years.
Dr Jay Hegde, the principal investigator and GHSU Postdoctoral Fellow Dr Xing Chen are using a relatively simple technique they developed to teach civilian volunteers to detect camouflage. In testing, they flash a series of camouflage pictures on a computer screen, providing about a half second after each to spot, for instance, a face in a sea of mushrooms. Test subjects receive instant feedback on their progress.
They use the magnetic imaging suite to monitor the brain as it detects the item of interest. Dr Hegde says a simple brain scan may identify Soldiers with a natural aptitude for identifying things that are out of place. They also think this skill could extend to precision shooting. However, as in most things, subjects get better with training. An hour of daily training over as little as two weeks results in 60% proficiency in test subjects.