Supplementary Motor Area Library

- In individuals with multiple sclerosis, there is a significant decrease in their ability to perform dual tasks (performing a motor and cognitive task simultaneously) 
- Neuroimaging studies of individuals with MS saw a significant increase in activity only within the SMA as the participants performed an assigned task 
- This suggests that the SMA is responsible for dual task performance, although further research is needed to strengthen this connection

SMA and Dual Task Ability

- Used for the preparation/organization of movements
- Ex. For individuals that have damage to the SMA, they cannot move outside of automatic reflexes (that are involuntary)

Smith College

- Contributes to movement by "communicating" (sending messages) to brain stem and spinal cord, and by regulating M1
- Contains the supplementary motor area (SMA) and the premotor cortex

Nonprimary Motor Cortex

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Supplementary Motor Area (SMA)

- The premotor cortex is utilized when a stimuli from the outside world is present, and spurs on certain movements/behaviors to occur as a result 
- Not considered "one" system but has a multitude of functions in order to plan the movement of an organism 
- For example, this includes awareness of objects, and mirroring of behavior

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