AUTHOR=Chen Xi , Zhang Shicong , Dong Shipeng , Meng Qingbin , Xu Peiran , Chu Qi , Huang Donglin , Luo Cheng 

TITLE=Investigating visual perception abilities in flight cadets: the crucial role of the lingual gyrus and precuneus

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=Volume 19 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1519870

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2025.1519870

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=IntroductionIn aviation, exceptional visual perception is crucial for pilots to monitor flight instruments and respond swiftly to deviations, as well as make rapid judgments regarding environmental changes, ensuring aviation safety. However, existing research on pilots’ visual perception has predominantly focused on behavioral observations, with limited exploration of the neurophysiological mechanisms involved.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate the brain activity associated with the visual perception capabilities of flight cadets. Data were collected from 25 flying cadets and 24 ground students under two conditions: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging session conducted in 2022 and a change-detection task. The data were analyzed using RESTplus software.ResultsThe analysis revealed that degree centrality values in the right precuneus and left lingual gyrus showed significantly positive correlations with task reaction time and accuracy, respectively, in the pilot group. These brain regions were found to be significantly associated with the visual perception abilities of the pilots.DiscussionThe findings suggest that alterations in the left precuneus and right lingual gyrus in pilots are linked to their visual perception capabilities, which may play a crucial role in mission performance. These results provide a foundation for improving flight training programs and selecting suitable flight trainees based on neurophysiological markers of visual perception.