Single cell correlates of multitasking in higher associative areas of the pigeon brain

Multitasking can be described as a form of goal-directed behaviour that relies on the integration and sequential execution of several different tasks for successful completion of an overarching goal. It has been shown that the parallel activation of multiple tasks leads to less efficient behaviour compared to doing tasks one after another. In humans, a widespread network of frontal and basal ganglia areas have been associated with this type of behaviour. However, it is still unknown how multitasking manifests itself on cellular level. Pigeons are able to show this type of behaviour and exhibit a network of higher associative and striatal areas that are activated during multitasking with the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL) and the nidopallium intermedium medialis pars laterale (NIMl) being highly relevant. In this study, we investigated single cell correlates of multitasking in these areas while the animals perform a STOP-CHANGE task. We found activity patterns that correspond to different task demands of this experimental paradigm. In particular, we found differential activity patterns between phases of sequential and parallel task activation, which might explain the effects on behavioural efficiency.