A key aspect of human cognitive flexibility concerns the ability to convert complex symbolic instructions into novel behaviors. Previous research proposes that this transformation is supported by two neurocognitive states: an initial declarative maintenance of task knowledge, and an implementation state necessary for optimal task execution. Furthermore, current models predict a crucial role of frontal and parietal brain regions in this process. However, whether declarative and procedural signals independently contribute to implementation remains unknown. We report the results of an fMRI experiment in which participants executed novel instructed stimulus-response associations. We then used a pattern-tracking procedure to quantify the contribution of format-unique signals during instruction implementation. This revealed independent procedural and declarative representations of novel S-Rs in frontoparietal areas, prior to execution. Critically, the degree of procedural activation predicted subsequent behavioral performance. Altogether, our results suggest an important contribution of frontoparietal regions to the neural architecture that regulates cognitive flexibility.

中文翻译：

---

额顶面向动作的代码支持新颖的指令实施

人类认知灵活性的一个关键方面涉及将复杂的符号指令转换为新行为的能力。先前的研究表明，这种转变受到两种神经认知状态的支持：任务知识的初始声明性维护，以及最佳任务执行所需的实施状态。此外，目前的模型预测额叶和顶叶大脑区域在这个过程中的关键作用。然而，声明性和程序性信号是否独立地有助于实现仍然未知。我们报告了一项 fMRI 实验的结果，在该实验中，参与者执行了新的指示性刺激-反应关联。然后，我们使用模式跟踪程序来量化指令实现期间格式唯一信号的贡献。这揭示了在执行之前，额顶区域中新颖 S-R 的独立程序性和声明性表示。至关重要的是，程序激活的程度预测了随后的行为表现。总而言之，我们的结果表明额顶区域对调节认知灵活性的神经结构做出了重要贡献。