Imagine your brain as a complex highway of information, with different regions acting as key players in processing time. One of these crucial regions is the subthalamic nucleus (STN), located deep within the basal ganglia. But how exactly does the STN contribute to our sense of time? To shed light on this question, scientists performed a fascinating study involving patients with Parkinson’s disease who were undergoing deep brain stimulation therapy. By manipulating the activity of the STN using a device, researchers found that switching the stimulation On or Off had a significant impact on time perception. When the STN stimulation was turned Off, participants tended to underestimate time durations in a specific task called time production. However, this effect was not observed in other tasks like time bisection or time reproduction. These findings suggest that the STN plays a crucial role in the representation and externalization of memories related to time duration. To delve deeper into this fascinating subject and learn more about how our brains perceive time, don’t hesitate to explore the full research article!
Sense of time (temporal sense) is believed to be processed by various brain regions in a complex manner, among which the basal ganglia, including the striatum and subthalamic nucleus (STN), play central roles. However, the precise mechanism for processing sense of time has not been clarified. To examine the role of the STN in temporal processing of the sense of time by directly manipulating STN function by switching a deep brain stimulation (DBS) device On/Off in 28 patients with Parkinson’s disease undergoing STN-DBS therapy. The test session was performed approximately 20 min after switching the DBS device from On to Off or from Off to On. Temporal sense processing was assessed in three different tasks (time reproduction, time production, and bisection). In the three temporal cognitive tasks, switching STN-DBS to Off caused shorter durations to be produced compared with the switching to the On condition in the time production task. In contrast, no effect of STN-DBS was observed in the time bisection or time reproduction tasks. These findings suggest that the STN is involved in the representation process of time duration and that the role of the STN in the sense of time may be limited to the exteriorization of memories formed by experience.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.