Supplementary eye field

Supplementary Eye Field

File:Brodmann areas 6, 8 and 9.png

Brodmann areas 6, 8 and 9, which include the Supplementary Eye Field

The Supplementary Eye Field (SEF) is a region of the brain located in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex, specifically in the Brodmann area 6 (BA6). It is involved in the planning and control of saccadic eye movements, which are rapid, jerky movements of the eye that allow it to quickly focus on different points in the visual field.

Function

The SEF plays a crucial role in the voluntary control of eye movements. It is involved in the planning and execution of saccades, particularly in tasks that require complex sequences of saccades. The SEF is also involved in the inhibition of unwanted saccades, a function that is important for maintaining visual attention.

Anatomy

The SEF is located in the medial part of the superior frontal gyrus, in the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex. It is anterior to the primary motor cortex and superior to the supplementary motor area (SMA). The SEF is part of the frontal eye fields (FEF), which also include areas in the prefrontal cortex and the premotor cortex.

Research

Research on the SEF has been conducted using a variety of methods, including neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and neuropsychology. These studies have provided evidence for the role of the SEF in saccade control, and have also suggested that the SEF may be involved in other cognitive functions, such as working memory and decision making.

See also

• Frontal eye fields
• Saccade
• Prefrontal cortex
• Supplementary motor area