Domain General Sequence Operations Contribute to Pre-SMA Involvement in Visuo-spatial Processing
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This study used 3T MRI to elucidate the functional role of supplementary motor area
(SMA) in relation to visuo-spatial processing. A localizer task contrasting sequential
number subtraction and repetitive button pressing was used to functionally delineate
non-motor sequence processing in pre-SMA, and activity in SMA-proper associated with
motor sequencing. Patterns of BOLD responses in these regions were then contrasted
to those from two tasks of visuo-spatial processing. In one task participants performed
Mental Rotation (MR) in which recognition memory judgments were made to previously
memorized 2D novel patterns across image-plane rotations. The other task involved
abstract grid navigation (GN) in which observers computed a series of imagined location
shifts in response to directional (arrow) cues around a mental grid. The results showed
overlapping activation in pre-SMA for sequential subtraction and both visuo-spatial
tasks. These results suggest that visuo-spatial processing is supported by non-motor
sequence operations that involve pre-SMA. More broadly, these data further highlight
the functional heterogeneity of pre-SMA, and show that its role extends to processes
beyond the planning and online control of movement
Original language | English |
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Journal | Frontiers in Human Neuroscience |
Volume | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 26 Jan 2016 |
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