Distinctive activation patterns under intrinsically versus extrinsically driven cognitive loads in prefrontal cortex: A near-infrared spectroscopy study using a driving video game

► Both the intrinsic and the extrinsic cognitions are indispensable. ► We measure the prefrontal activation during a driving video game using NIRS. ► We focus on three periods (i.e., pre-turning, actual-turning, and post-turning). ► Both cognitions show increasing prefrontal activation in the pre-turning. ► However, each cognition induces distinct activations in the actual- and post-turning.