Processing of Temporal Information in the Brain

Abstract Studies of time coding in the central nervous system have revealed circuits specialized for the encoding and processing of temporal information. Behavioral experiments show that animals can detect microsecond time differences, while analysis of how temporal information is processed has uncovered many common principles. Despite different neural substrates, time coding systems share similar features and implement similar algorithms for the encoding of temporal information. Timing information is generally coded by phase-locked action potentials, and processed in a dedicated pathway in parallel with other stimulus variables. The elements of time-coding circuits have morphological and physiological features suited to their function.