Interference processing in dual tasks [Elektronische Ressource] : the functional role of the lateral prefrontal cortex / von Christine Stelzel

Interference processing in dual tasks - the functional role of the lateral prefrontal cortex DISSERTATION zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades doctor rerum naturalium (Dr. rer. nat.) im Fach Psychologie eingereicht an der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät II der Humboldt Universität zu Berlin von Dipl. Psych. Christine Stelzel geboren am 29.08.1976 in Friedberg/Hessen Präsident der Humboldt Universität zu Berlin: Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Christoph Markschies Dekan der Mathematisch - Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät II: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Coy Gutachter: 1. Prof. Dr. Torsten Schubert 2. Prof. Dr. Norbert Kathmann 3. Prof. Dr. Mark D’Esposito 4. Prof. Dr. Stefan Pollmann Tag der Verteidigung: 18.04.2008 Abstract Numerous studies indicate fundamental limitations in the human ability to do multiple things at the same time. Recent theories on dual-task processing postulate the involvement of cognitive control processes in the coordination of the processing stream of multiple tasks. The most prominent neuroanatomical structure associated with the control of goal-directed human behavior is the lateral prefrontal cortex (lPFC). It has been show with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) that the lPFC is also involved in the processing of dual tasks. However, the precise role of the lPFC for the control of dual-task processing and the neural mechanisms of dual-task coordination are still widely unknown.