title: Structural neural correlates of multitasking: A voxel-based morphometry study.
abstract: Multitasking refers to the ability to organize assorted tasks efficiently in a short period of time, which plays an important role in daily life. However, the structural neural correlates of multitasking performance remain unclear. The present study aimed at exploring the brain regions associated with multitasking performance using global correlation analysis. Twenty-six healthy participants first underwent structural brain scans and then performed the modified Six Element Test, which required participants to attempt six subtasks in 10 min while obeying a specific rule. Voxel-based morphometry of the whole brain was used to detect the structural correlates of multitasking ability. Grey matter volume of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was positively correlated with the overall performance and time monitoring in multitasking. In addition, white matter volume of the anterior thalamic radiation (ATR) was also positively correlated with time monitoring during multitasking. Other related brain regions associated with multitasking included the superior frontal gyrus, the inferior occipital gyrus, the lingual gyrus, and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. No significant correlation was found between grey matter volume of the prefrontal cortex (Brodmann Area 10) and multitasking performance. Using a global correlation analysis to examine various aspects of multitasking performance, this study provided new insights into the structural neural correlates of multitasking ability. In particular, the ACC was identified as an important brain region that played both a general and a specific time-monitoring role in multitasking, extending the role of the ACC from lesioned populations to healthy populations. The present findings also support the view that the ATR may influence multitasking performance by affecting time-monitoring abilities.
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.|The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.|Department of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Rui-Ting
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Tian-Xiao
authors.initials: TX
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Yuxiu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sui
authors.affiliation: Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Jingjing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chen-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
authors.forename: Eric F C
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Group, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Raymond C K
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D066128:Gray Matter; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: morphometry; multiple tasks; neuroimaging