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Optimisation of brain states and behavioural strategies when learning complex tasks

We designed two self-ordered switching (SOS) fMRI paradigms to investigate how people optimise their behaviour whilst managing competing demands. SOS was performed with feedback and minimal training (study 1) or without feedback but with extensive training (study 2). We hypothesised that behavioural performance would improve with practise and that this would be reflected in an optimisation of the brain states associated with the task events. As expected, response speed was slower in study 1, but increased with practise at a greater rate than in study 2. Furthermore, individuals who established more structured routines benefited from superior task performance. This behavioural optimisation was reflected by an ongoing redeployment of the neural resources supporting routine and task-switching trials. Specifically, as structured behaviour developed, there was increased activation of dorsal frontoparietal regions to switching events but decreased activation for routine trials. Conversely, the default mode network showed increased activation to routine trials with learning. Notably, the optimisation of behavioural performance corresponded with increases in frontoparietal and subcortical connectivity. These results demonstrate that a fundamental property of human behaviour is the establishment of structured task schemas that enable neurocognitive resources to be selectively focused on key executive events.