Brain scientists reveal the mysteries of simultaneous tasks during strolls
The University of Rochester's Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience has made a significant stride in understanding how the healthy brain functions in everyday life, particularly during multitasking activities. A recent study, published in the journal NeuroImage, utilised the Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) system to combine virtual reality, brain monitoring, and motion capture technology.
The study, led by Edward Freedman, Ph.D., and first author David Richardson, an MD/PhD student, involved 16 participants whose movements were recorded with millimeter precision by 16 high-speed cameras while simultaneously measuring their brain activity. The participants were asked to perform cognitive tasks while walking on a treadmill, and the results were intriguing.
The participants' walking patterns improved when they performed a cognitive task at the same time, suggesting they were more stable. This finding indicates that the brain may be preparing for and executing tasks based on their difficulty level, a flexibility that seems to be a characteristic of a healthy brain.
Brain changes were measured between the cued tasks and showed that during more difficult tasks, the neurophysiological difference was greater between walking and sitting. These findings highlight the adaptability of a healthy brain and its ability to multitask while walking without compromising either activity.
John Foxe, Ph.D., Kevin Mazurek, Ph.D., Nicholas Abraham, and additional researchers at the University of Rochester were also authors on the study. The research was funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience Pilot Program.
The next stage of the research is to understand how these findings differ in various groups, including healthy older adults and those with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The study plans to expand its research to include a more diverse group of brains, providing valuable insights into what goes wrong in brains with neurodegenerative diseases.
This research not only deepens our understanding of the healthy brain's capabilities but also offers potential avenues for developing interventions and treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. The MoBI system, located in the Del Monte Institute's Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab, continues to be a valuable tool in this ongoing research.
