The +Gz-induced loss of consciousness curve

Abstract

Background: +Gz-time tolerance curves were developed to predict when exposure to +Gz stress exceeds human tolerance resulting in neurologic signs and symptoms. The +Gz-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) curves were developed to predict when +Gz stress induces G-LOC. The G-LOC curves are based on a theoretical understanding of how acceleration affects underlying physiological mechanisms affording tolerance to acceleration, their limits, and what happens when they are exceeded. The foundation of previous +Gz-time tolerance curves was based on a minimal dataset of sign and symptom endpoints. Methods: Two G-LOC curves were established from the analysis of 888 centrifuge induced G-LOC episodes in completely healthy humans. The time from the onset of +Gz stress to the onset of unconsciousness was plotted as a function of +Gz level and the G onset rate. Results: The two new G-LOC curves differed significantly from previous curves in temporal characteristics and key aspects underlying neurologic response to acceleration. The new acceleration onset rate curve reveals that for onset rates ≥ 1.0 G/s, G-LOC will occur in a mean time of 9.10 s and is independent of the onset rate. The new +Gz-level curve demonstrates that G-LOC will occur in a mean time of 9.65 s for rapid onset rate exposures to +Gz levels ≥ +7 Gz. The minimum +Gz-level threshold tolerance was defined as +4.7 Gz. When +Gz onset rates are gradual, ≤ 0.2 G/s, G-LOC occurs in a mean time of 74.41 s. G-LOC did not occur earlier than 5 s for any acceleration exposure. Conclusions: These G-LOC curves alter previous temporal predictions for loss of consciousness and advance the understanding of basic neurophysiological function during exposure to the extremes of acceleration stress. Understanding the acceleration kinetics of the loss and recovery of consciousness provides the characteristics of uncomplicated and purely ischemic causes of LOC for application in medical diagnosis of syncope, epilepsy, and other clinical causes of transient loss of consciousness. The curves are applicable to education, training, medical evaluation, and aerospace operations. © 2013 Whinnery and Forster; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.