Scientists Discover the Brain Can Rewire Itself To Truly Multitask
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Extensive practice can rewire the brain so a learned skill runs more automatically, making some forms of true multitasking possible.
Why does driving eventually feel effortless, while learning to drive demands total concentration? A new study from Georgetown University suggests the answer lies in the brain’s ability to rewire itself, shifting well-practiced skills into different neural circuits so they can be performed with less conscious effort. The findings challenge a longstanding view of human learning by indicating that, under the right conditions, people may be capable of genuine multitasking rather than simply switching attention rapidly between tasks.
The research could also have implications far beyond everyday life. By revealing how the brain builds new skills on top of old ones, the work may help guide the development of artificial intelligence systems that learn and adapt more like humans. “We have another stepping stone in our understanding of how the brain learns,” said senior author Maximilian Riesenhuber, PhD, a professor of neuroscience at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and one of the directors of the Center for Neuroengineering.
“The encouraging part is that you really can learn to multitask. There is actually a way to remodel your brain architecture and use other parts of your brain.” The study builds on many years of research into how learning changes the brain. Georgetown scientists wanted to examine what happens as a skill becomes automatic, especially how the brain moves from actively learning a task to carrying it out with far less conscious effort after extensive practice.
Riesenhuber pointed to driving as a familiar example. At first, learning to drive demands close attention to every action. After years of experience, many drivers can hold a conversation, listen to music, or think through another issue while still operating the car.
“The question is: how does your brain do that?” Riesenhuber said.
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Extended exhalation increases reward sensitivity and heart rate variability, leading to bolder decision-making through measurable changes in brain activity. Researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke (DIfE) and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have shown for the first time that consciously controlling breathing patterns can influence decision-making by affecting both heart and brain activity. Soyoung Q Park, the team found that extending the exhalation phase of breathing increases heart rate variability and enhances the brain’s response to rewards, making people more likely to choose bolder options.
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