Brain’s “Cognitive Legos” May Explain How We Multitask and Switch Between Tasks

• A new study by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the brain uses a flexible system of neurons to manage different types of information, allowing it to switch between tasks and adapt to changing circumstances. The research found that a group of neurons in the prefrontal cortex can switch between retaining sensory information and maintaining an action plan in working memory. This suggests that the brain doesn't need separate neurons for each type of information but instead uses the same neurons to perform similar computations on different kinds of data.

• The findings support the theory of compositionality, which proposes that cognition can be built by reusing and combining existing neural components. The study also highlights the concept of "cognitive Legos," where the brain reuses existing circuits to handle different tasks. The researchers tested this by training mice to compare tones and respond based on whether the sounds matched, showing that the prefrontal cortex's neurons can switch roles depending on the task's requirements. This flexibility may help explain how a limited number of neurons can support a wide range of behaviors.

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