Current-source density analysis of slow brain potentials during time estimation

Psychophysiology. 2004 Nov;41(6):861-74. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8986.2004.00246.x.

Abstract

Two event-related potential studies were conducted to investigate differential brain correlates of temporal processing of intervals below and above 3-4 s. In the first experiment, 24 participants were presented with auditorily marked target durations of 2, 4, and 6 s that had to be reproduced. Timing accuracy was similar for all three target durations. As revealed by current-source density analysis, slow-wave components during both presentation and reproduction were independent of target duration. Experiment 2 examined potential modulating effects of type of interval (filled and empty) and presentation mode (randomized and blocked presentation of target durations). Behavioral and slow-wave findings were consistent with those of Experiment 1. Thus, the present findings support the notion of a general timing mechanism irrespective of interval duration as proposed by scalar timing theory and pacemaker-counter models of time estimation.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping
  • Contingent Negative Variation / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiology
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Time Perception / physiology*