Linking the Supplementary Motor Network and Executive Function in Developing Brain.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Frontal lobe development is crucial for executive functions (EF) during childhood and adolescence.
• The supplementary motor area (SMA) plays a key role in high-order EFs like inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
• The precise relationship between SMA functional networks and EF development remains under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate age-related differences in SMA functional connectivity (FC).
• To identify how SMA FC is associated with executive function development in children and adolescents.
• To pinpoint critical developmental periods for SMA network maturation related to EF.

Main Methods:

• Utilized resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data.
• Assessed Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) performance as a measure of EF.
• Analyzed data from 112 participants aged 6 to 17 years.

Main Results:

• Identified 300 significant FCs between the SMA and widespread brain regions in older adolescents.
• These FCs, including connections to frontal, occipital, parietal, temporal, limbic, and cerebellar areas, were negatively correlated with WCST performance.
• Crucial SMA functional connectivity associated with EF was absent in younger participants.

Conclusions:

• The findings highlight the SMA's significant role in executive function development and potential executive dysfunction.
• The age range of 11-12 years appears to be a critical period for brain functional alterations related to EF.
• This study provides novel insights into SMA functional maturation and individual differences in EF development trajectories.