Abstract
IntroductionSkilled Ankle motor control is frequently required while performing secondary cognitively demanding tasks such as socializing and avoiding obstacles while walking, termed “Dual tasking.” It is likely that Dual‐task performance increases demand on the brain, as both motor and cognitive systems require neural resources. The purpose of this study was to use functional MRI to understand which brain regions are involved in resolving Dual‐task interference created by requiring high levels of Ankle motor control during a cognitive task.MethodsUsing functional MRI, brain activity was measured in sixteen young adults during performance of visually cued Ankle plantar flexion to a target (Ankle task), a cognitive task (Flanker task), and both tasks simultaneously (Dual task).ResultsDual‐task performance did not impact the Ankle task (p = 0.78), but did affect behavior on the Flanker task. Response times for both the congruent and incongruent conditions during the Flanker task were significantly longer (p < 0.001, p = 0.050, respectively), and accuracy for the congruent condition decreased during Dual tasking (p < 0.001). Activity in 3 brain regions was associated with Dual‐task Flanker performance. Percent signal change from baseline in Brodmann area (BA) 5, BA6, and the left caudate correlated with performance on the Flanker task during the Dual‐task condition (R2 = 0.261, p = 0.04; R2 = −0.258, p = 0.04; R2 = 0.303, p = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionsPerformance of Ankle motor control may be prioritized over a cognitive task during Dual‐task performance. Our work advances Dual‐task research by elucidating patterns of whole brain activity for Dual tasks that require Ankle motor control during a cognitive task.
Highlights
Skilled Ankle motor control is frequently required while performing secondary cognitively demanding tasks such as socializing and avoiding obstacles while walking, termed “Dual tasking.” It is likely that Dual‐task performance increases demand on the brain, as both motor and cognitive systems require neural resources
Past functional magnetic resonance imaging investigations during Dual tasking focused on the behavior and patterns of brain activation associated with hand motor and cognitive tasks (Akkal, Bioulac, Audin, & Burbaud, 2002; Fan, Flombaum, McCandliss, Thomas, & Posner, 2003; Leone et al, 2017; Poldrack et al, 2005; Schubert & Szameitat, 2003)
The purpose of the current study was to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand which regions are involved in resolving Dual‐task interference associated with Ankle motor control during the Flanker cognitive task
Summary
Skilled Ankle motor control is frequently required while performing secondary cognitively demanding tasks such as socializing and avoiding obstacles while walking, termed “Dual tasking.” It is likely that Dual‐task performance increases demand on the brain, as both motor and cognitive systems require neural resources. Skilled Ankle motor control is frequently required while performing secondary cognitively demanding tasks such as socializing and avoiding obstacles while walking, termed “Dual tasking.”. The purpose of this study was to use functional MRI to understand which brain regions are involved in resolving Dual‐task interference created by requiring high levels of Ankle motor control during a cognitive task. Our work advances Dual‐task research by elucidating patterns of whole brain activity for Dual tasks that require Ankle motor control during a cognitive task. Whole brain activity supporting Ankle motor control under cognitively demanding conditions has not been studied even though it may contribute to the success or failure of real‐world Dual tasks. Subcortical areas and the interaction with cortical regions may be critical to successful performance of Dual tasks that require high levels of Ankle motor control
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