Contribution of the Lateral Prefrontal Cortex to Cognitive-Postural Multitasking
Christine Stelzel1,2, Hannah Bohle1,2, Gesche Schauenburg3
1Division of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
Frontiers in Psychology
|July 24, 2018
Summary
Individual differences in cognitive-motor interference during dual-tasking relate to brain activity. Specifically, greater recruitment of the right mid-lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) during demanding cognitive tasks correlates with increased postural sway.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human Motor Control
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Cortical areas contribute to human postural control.
- Cognitive-motor interference occurs during dual-tasking, with the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC) implicated.
- Individual differences in lPFC recruitment during cognitive multitasking and their link to cognitive-motor interference remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate inter-individual variability in cognitive-postural multitasking.
- To relate individual differences in lPFC recruitment during cognitive multitasking to cognitive-motor interference.
- To explore the role of the right mid-lPFC in resource allocation during cognitive-motor interference.
Main Methods:
- Healthy young adults (n=29) performed a one-back working memory task (single vs. dual-task) during upright stance on a balance pad and fMRI.
- Behavioral performance costs (postural sway) and lPFC recruitment during cognitive tasks were measured.
- Correlation analysis was used to link lPFC activity with postural performance costs.
Main Results:
- Behavioral performance costs in postural sway and lPFC recruitment during the dual one-back task varied significantly between individuals.
- Individuals with greater recruitment of the right mid-lPFC during the dual one-back task exhibited larger postural sway (performance costs).
- This association was specific to the high-load dual one-back task.
Conclusions:
- Individual differences in cognitive-motor interference are linked to variability in lPFC recruitment.
- The right mid-lPFC plays a crucial role in resource allocation during cognitive-motor interference, particularly under high cognitive load.
- This study enhances understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive-motor multitasking and its potential impairments.
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