Conversation effects on neural mechanisms underlying reaction time to visual events while viewing a driving scene using MEG.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) imaging examined the neural mechanisms that modulate reaction times to visual events while viewing a driving video, with and without a conversation. Twenty-four subjects ages 18-65 were monitored by whole-head MEG. The primary tasks were to monitor a driving video and to depress a foot pedal in response to a small red light presented to the left or below the driving scene at unpredictable times.