EEG Correlation of the Influence of Endogenous and Exogenous Factors on Mental Work Capacity in Students

Abstract

The study was aimed at investigating the influence of endogenous (properties of the nervous system, extra/introversion, the level of neuroticism) and exogenous (air temperature, atmospheric pressure, time of day, solar activity) factors on the initial bioelectric activity of the brain and mental capacity of students. The study included 342 healthy subjects of both sexes aged 20–21 years. First EEG was recorded and then the students performed a 3-min proof-reading test. Individual characteristics were assessed on the following day. Mental performance was assessed by Anfimov’s alphabetic tables. Individual characteristics were determined using Eysenck’s and Strelyau’s personality inventories. The functional state was assessed by EEG records from 21 leads unipolarly according to the International 10–20 System in the sitting position. Reference electrodes were fixed on earlobes. It was found that unfavorable factors of external environment led to a decrease in mental task performance with a more pronounced Δ rhythm. Different aspects of mental task performance were determined by different individual typological features of the students: the volume and speed of work were correlated positively with the level of introversion and mobility of nervous processes and negatively with the strength of inhibition. The accuracy of work was correlated positively with the level of extraversion and the balance of nervous processes and negatively with the level of neuroticism. The functional state of the brain, which exerts a positive effect on mental task performance, was associated primarily with α rhythm pacemakers.