Researchers from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas have found that our brains gauge time based on the number of events rather than precise units of measurement.
A new analysis of brain activity has revealed how our minds keep track of time, uncovering intriguing characteristics of neural functioning. Unlike computers that measure time in seconds, minutes, and hours, our brains adopt a distinctly different approach.
The scientists focused on the anterior cingulate cortex — a brain region responsible for monitoring activity and tracking experiences. They conducted an experiment where rats performed a repetitive task 200 times, while the researchers observed their brain activity.
The results indicated that brain activity varied slightly during each repetition of the task, with these differences becoming more pronounced over time. Interestingly, the overall brain activity remained constant, regardless of how long it took the rats to complete the entire task.
James Hyman, the lead author of the study, explains: “We perceive time through our own experiences based on the actions we take and the events that happen to us. When we are still and bored, time seems to drag, as we are not engaged in any activity. Conversely, a multitude of events pushes our brain forward."
The researchers also observed that different neurons processed the task at varying times. Small clusters of brain cells collaborated on the task over several repetitions before handing it off to another group. This explains why closely-timed events are hard to distinguish, whereas more distant ones are perceived differently.
Moreover, the study aids in understanding how our brain organizes memories in a temporal sequence and recalls events at different relative times. Hyman adds: “This is the part of the brain we use to track something like a conversation during dinner. You can remember topics from the beginning, during dessert, and at the end, but it’s impossible to isolate individual sentences from your memory.”
The study is published in the journal Current Biology.
Source: Newatlas
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