Group items tagged

"Neuroscientists believe that we have distinct neural systems for processing different types of time, for example, to maintain a circadian rhythm, to control the timing of fine body movements, and for conscious awareness of time passage. A new study in the Journal of Neuroscience reveals that the brain may in fact have a second method for sensing elapsed time [that] not only works in parallel with our primary neural clock, but may even compete with it. 'Past research suggested that a brain region called the striatum lies at the heart of our central inner clock, working with the brain's surrounding cortex to integrate temporal information. But conscious awareness of elapsed time demands that the brain not only measure time, but also keep a running memory of how much time has passed. The hippocampus is critically important for remembering past experiences [and ]might also play a role in remembering the passage of time. Studies recording electrical brain activity in animals have shown that neurons in the hippocampus signal particular moments in time. But the hippocampus isn't always necessary for tracking time. Remarkably, people with damage to their hippocampus can accurately remember the passage of short time periods, but are impaired at remembering long time intervals.' Striatum - highly accurate (to secs) Hippocampus - about 5-min intervals

Striatum - highly accurate (to secs) Hippocampus - about 5-min intervals