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Computational modeling has shown that artificial neural networks can perform a variety of tasks by flexibly combining functional modules, each specialized for a specific computation, to construct a complex task. However, it is unknown whether reusable modular networks are found in the brain. Here, we show that mice performing a delayed match-to-sample with delayed report (DMS-dr) task reuse neuronal subspaces that were specialized for stimulus processing and memory maintenance. These subspaces were reused during the task to represent new stimulus inputs and different types of memories, respectively. Clustering analyses showed each subspace was supported by a distinct cluster of neurons in prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex. Studying artificial recurrent networks constrained to neural data found silencing specific clusters disrupted specific computations, consistent with a modular and reusable organization. Altogether, our findings show that the brain can flexibly reuse computational components to perform a complex cognitive task.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1101\/2025.08.13.670128","type":"posted-content","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,14]],"date-time":"2025-08-14T07:40:12Z","timestamp":1755157212000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Reusable modular architecture enables flexible cognitive operations in the mouse brain and artificial recurrent networks"],"prefix":"10.64898","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7214-4076","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yuma","family":"Osako","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Greggory R.","family":"Heller","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sofie","family":"\u00c4hrlund-Richter","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Timothy J.","family":"Buschman","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Washington Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA"},{"name":"Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Washington Rd, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mriganka","family":"Sur","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA"},{"name":"Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"54368","reference":[{"key":"2026080610551275000_2025.08.13.670128v2.1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1088545"},{"key":"2026080610551275000_2025.08.13.670128v2.2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1162\/jocn.2007.19.12.2082"},{"key":"2026080610551275000_2025.08.13.670128v2.3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tics.2017.11.005"},{"key":"2026080610551275000_2025.08.13.670128v2.4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41593-024-01668-6"},{"key":"2026080610551275000_2025.08.13.670128v2.5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41593-018-0310-2"},{"key":"2026080610551275000_2025.08.13.670128v2.6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cole, M. 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