Supplementary motor area as key structure for domain-general sequence processing: A unified account

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) is recognized as a functionally heterogeneous brain region involved in diverse cognitive processes.
• Existing research suggests the SMA's involvement in various functions, but a unifying principle remains elusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and review evidence for the SMA's crucial role in domain-general sequence processing.
• To synthesize findings from neuroimaging, stimulation, and electrophysiological studies to support a unified account of SMA function.
• To explore the differential contributions of the pre-SMA and SMA-proper to sequence operations.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and synthesis of existing neuroimaging, stimulation, and electrophysiological studies.
• Comparative analysis of data from diverse cognitive domains involving sequence processing.
• Discussion of potential neural mechanisms underlying SMA-mediated sequence operations.

Main Results:

• The SMA appears to play a domain-general role in integrating sequential elements into higher-order representations.
• Evidence supports the SMA's involvement in sequence processing across motor, temporal, spatial, numerical, linguistic, and working memory domains.
• Distinct roles for the pre-SMA and SMA-proper in sequence processing are suggested.

Conclusions:

• The SMA is a key hub for domain-general sequence processing, integrating information across diverse cognitive functions.
• A unifying account of the SMA's function in sequence integration provides a new framework for understanding its role.
• Further research into the neural mechanisms and regional specializations within the SMA is warranted.