Multiple task-demands flexibly optimize neural geometry in human ventral temporal cortex

Abstract A hallmark of human intelligence is the ability to perform multiple tasks immediately upon instruction. Yet, the neural processes that implement such flexibility remain unclear. Using intracranial electrophysiology in epilepsy patients, we examined how representational geometries evolve as participants switched among three tasks - individuation, categorization, and conceptualization - on a trial-by-trial basis. Although tasks differed in the required representational geometries, neural representations across cortex were not immediately optimized following task cues. Instead, task-tailored geometries emerged gradually over successive stimulus repetitions within a trial. Ventral temporal cortex was the only region to exhibit task-specific adjustments for all three tasks, dynamically transforming within- and between-category distances in line with task demands. Importantly, these gradual representational changes were behaviorally relevant, predicting trial-level performance. Our results show that behavioral flexibility is supported by incremental, task-dependent refinement of representational geometry already within sensory cortex - far earlier in the processing hierarchy than previously thought.

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Publication Details

Journal
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Published
2025-12-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.11.30.691163
Primary Topic
Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Multiple task-demands flexibly optimize neural geometry in human ventral temporal cortex

Orrin Devinsky, Marcela Perrone‐Bertolotti, Thomas Thesen, Lucía Melloni et al.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
article

Multiple task-demands flexibly optimize neural geometry in human ventral temporal cortex

Orrin Devinsky, Marcela Perrone‐Bertolotti, Thomas Thesen, Lucía Melloni, Pierre Mégevand, Andrea Fernanda Campos-Pérez, Caspar M. Schwiedrzik, Tarana Nigam, Philippe Kahane, Juan R. Vidal
article en

Abstract

Abstract A hallmark of human intelligence is the ability to perform multiple tasks immediately upon instruction. Yet, the neural processes that implement such flexibility remain unclear. Using intracranial electrophysiology in epilepsy patients, we examined how representational geometries evolve as participants switched among three tasks - individuation, categorization, and conceptualization - on a trial-by-trial basis. Although tasks differed in the required representational geometries, neural representations across cortex were not immediately optimized following task cues. Instead, task-tailored geometries emerged gradually over successive stimulus repetitions within a trial. Ventral temporal cortex was the only region to exhibit task-specific adjustments for all three tasks, dynamically transforming within- and between-category distances in line with task demands. Importantly, these gradual representational changes were behaviorally relevant, predicting trial-level performance. Our results show that behavioral flexibility is supported by incremental, task-dependent refinement of representational geometry already within sensory cortex - far earlier in the processing hierarchy than previously thought.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Dartmouth College (US), Université catholique de lyon (FR), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Feinstein Institute for Medical Research (US), Hofstra University (US), Inserm (FR), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble (FR), German Primate Center (DE), Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics (DE), NYU Langone Health (US), University Hospital of Geneva (CH), European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (DE), Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences (FR), Université Savoie Mont Blanc (FR), University of Göttingen (DE), Université Grenoble Alpes (FR), Ruhr University Bochum (DE)
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Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
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