Neural signatures of environmental perception: EEG and postural markers differentiate responses to polluted vs. pleasant landscapes

This study investigates the neural and postural correlates of environmental perception using simultaneous EEG-posturography recordings in 34 participants viewing polluted, pleasant, and neutral landscapes. By combining spectral analysis and event-related potentials (ERPs), we identified three key findings: (1) Pleasant landscapes enhanced alpha (8–12 Hz) power in left posterior regions and beta (12–30 Hz) in parietal areas, while polluted scenes reduced delta/theta (1–8 Hz) activity, suggesting disrupted relaxation; (2) ERP analyses revealed pollution-induced amplification of both early (EPN) and late (P3) components, indicating sustained attentional capture; (3) Postural coupling showed that pollution-related theta power at P7 predicted sway instability, whereas faster P1 latency correlated with increased stability in pleasant scenes. These results demonstrate that polluted environments elicit a distinct neuro-postural profile characterized by stress-related spectral reduction and hypervigilant ERPs, while natural scenes promote neural patterns associated with visuomotor integration. • First simultaneous EEG-posturography evidence that polluted vs. natural landscapes differentially modulate brain-body interactions. • Pollution disrupts relaxation networks: Reduction of delta/theta (1-8 Hz) power correlates with postural instability, suggesting stress-related sensorimotor decoupling. • Nature enhances visuomotor integration: Faster P100 latency and increased parietal beta (12-30 Hz) predict improved postural stability in natural scenes. • Pollution induces hypervigilance: Amplified EPN/P300 components reveal sustained attentional capture by aversive environmental stimuli.