能動者的認知控制：大腦輔助運動區在音樂活動中的重要性

Cognitive Control in Agents: On the Importance of Supplementary Motor Area in the Brain for Music Activities

2018年有一篇腦造影研究指出，人們在聆聽音樂時某個腦區的活化，可以預測其未來學習樂器的成效，這個關鍵的腦區即為額葉上方中央的輔助運動區。本文根據腦科學文獻，釐清輔助運動區的多元功能，重新檢視音樂演奏、聆聽、創作，以及音樂治療之間的關係。音樂活動不僅可以強化運動功能，也能強化許多執行控制功能，包括注意力控制、抑制控制、工作記憶、序列處理，以及認知靈活性。在即興演出時，這些功能特別會跟自我意志緊密結合，讓音樂演出者成為能動者，以極具創意又妥善組織的音樂，來表達個人意圖。在這種音樂活動中，輔助運動區扮演著關鍵角色。

A brain imaging research published in 2018 showed that the activation of a brain region when people listen to music can predict their future performance in learning a musical instrument. This key brain area involved is the supplementary motor area located in the superior and medial aspects of the frontal lobe. Based on the literature of brain science, this article reviews the multiple functions of the supplementary motor area and clarifies the relationships between music performance, listening, creation, and music therapy. Music activities not only stimulate motor functions, but also enhance executive control functions, including attention control, inhibitory control, working memory, sequence processing, and cognitive flexibility. These functions are further integrated with volition in musical improvisation, which transforms the role of musical performers to creative ''agents'' when they can more fully express themselves through structured music. The supplementary motor area plays a key role in this music activity.