Brain Scientists Offer Insights on Concurrent Tasking During Ambulation

In a groundbreaking study, scientists at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester have shed light on the remarkable flexibility of the human brain, particularly in older adults and those with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. This research, funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience Pilot Program, was led by Edward Freedman, Ph.D., with David Richardson, an MD/PhD student, serving as the first author.

The study, published in NeuroImage, utilised a Mobile Brain/Body Imaging (MoBI) system located in the Del Monte Institute's Frederick J. and Marion A. Schindler Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab. The MoBI system combines virtual reality, brain monitoring, and motion capture technology, allowing for a better understanding of brain function in everyday life.

During the study, participants walked on a treadmill or manipulated objects on a table while 16 high-speed cameras recorded their position with millimetre precision and measured their brain activity simultaneously. The findings revealed that the healthy brain is able to multitask while walking without sacrificing either activity.

Interestingly, the study showed that participants' walking patterns improved when they performed a cognitive task at the same time, suggesting they were more stable. Brain changes were measured between the cued tasks and showed that during more difficult tasks, the neurophysiological difference was greater between walking and sitting.

This research aims to provide insight into what goes awry in brains with neurodegenerative diseases, offering potential avenues for future treatments. Moreover, the study also intends to understand how a healthy young brain switches tasks, with researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems and the University of Tübingen involved in this aspect of the investigation.

The next stage of the research is to expand it to include a more diverse group of brains, furthering our understanding of brain function and its role in everyday life. The MoBI system's unique capabilities are set to continue unveiling the intricacies of the human brain, paving the way for advancements in neuroscience research.