The neural representation of time.
This review summarizes recent investigations of temporal processing. We focus on motor and perceptual tasks in which crucial events span hundreds of milliseconds. One key question concerns whether the representation of temporal information is dependent on a specialized system, distributed across a network of neural regions, or computed in a local task-dependent manner. Consistent with the specialized system framework, the cerebellum is associated with various tasks that require precise timing. Computational models of timing mechanisms within the cerebellar cortex are beginning to motivate physiological studies. Emphasis has also been placed on the basal ganglia as a specialized timing system, particularly for longer intervals. We outline an alternative hypothesis in which this structure is associated with decision processes.
Ivry
Richard B
RB
3210 Tolman Hall, Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1650 USA. ivry@socrates.berkeley.edu
Spencer
Rebecca M C
RM
D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D013998:Time Perception / Q000502:physiology*