Flexible information coding in frontoparietal cortex across the functional stages of cognitive processing.

摘要: Neural activity in frontoparietal cortex shows overlap across cognitive domains and has been proposed to reflect flexible information processing according current task demands (Dosenbach et al., 2007; Duncan, 2001). However, a strong assertion of flexibility requires investigating stages processing. The study assessed neural Multiple Demand (MD) regions the that form core long-standing models (Welford, 1952). Specifically, many complex tasks share comparable structure subsequent operations: target selection, stimulus-response (SR) mapping, response execution. We independently manipulated difficulty selection SR mapping identical stimulus displays changes with increased either stage. results confirmed MD regions, enhanced representation during difficult as well mapping. Additionally, anterior insula (AI) cingulate (ACC) showed preferential stage information, whereas medial frontal gyrus (MFG) inferior parietal sulcus (IPS) selection-stage information. Together these suggest dynamically alter they represent changing demands. This is first demonstrate support goal- directed cognition multiple stages. At same time we show preference for from specific subset regions.