Task Switching and the Role of Motor Reprogramming in Parietal Structures

behaviour amazes with extraordinary flexibility and the underlying neural mechanisms have often been studied using task switching. Despite extensive research, the relative importance of ?cognitive? and ?motor? aspects during switching is unclear. In the current study we examine this question combining EEG anal-ysis techniques and source localization to examine whether the selection of the response, or processes during the execution of the response, contribute most to switching effects. A clear dissociation was observed in the sig-nal decomposition, since codes relating to motor aspects play a significant role in task switching and the scope of the switching costs. This was not the case for signals that denote reaction selection or decision processes that respond to selection or basic stimulus processing codes. On a functional neuroanatomical level, these modula-tions in motor processes showed a clear temporal sequence in that motor codes are processed primarily in supe-rior parietal regions (Brodman area 7) and only then in premotor regions (Brodman area 6). The observed modulations may reflect motor reprogramming processes. The study shows how EEG signal analysis in combi-nation with brain mapping methods can inform debates on theories of human cognitive flexibility. ? 2021 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study investigates the relative importance of cognitive and motor aspects in task switching, finding that motor codes play a significant role in switching effects. Modulations in motor processes show a clear temporal sequence and may reflect motor reprogramming processes, contributing to debates on theories of human cognitive flexibility.