When to act, or not to act: that's the SMA's question. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coull, Jennifer T; Vidal, Franck; Burle, Boris
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in behavioral sciences. Volume 8(2016)
• Page Start: 14
• Page End: 21
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.01.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-1546

Abstract

Highlights: SMA is implicated in response selection and inhibition. SMA is implicated in perceptual and motor timing. SMA amplitude codes for stimulus duration and for error monitoring. SMA mediates both stimulus-specified and spontaneous aspects of voluntary action. SMA is engaged through action control to develop our sense of time. Abstract : Traditionally, the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) is linked to motor control, including voluntary movement selection and response inhibition. However, it is also implicated in timing, whether a timed motor response is required or not. We synthesize recent neuroimaging, electrophysiological and stimulation studies of timing and action control and reconcile these distinct literatures by proposing a functional gradient for voluntary action within SMA: preSMA controls the voluntary selection and inhibition of stimulus-specified action whereas SMA proper instigates spontaneous, self-generated action. In addition, developmental and learning studies indicate that we develop and refine our sense of time through action, potentially explaining why even non-motor, perceptual forms of timing recruit SMA. We suggest that SMA is engaged through action control to build up a sensory representation of time.