Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
05:15
The (Spatial) Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition
Published on: February 19, 2018
Cerebral representations of space and time
M Beudel1, R Renken, K L Leenders
1Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Neuroimage
|October 28, 2008
Summary
This study reveals how the brain processes time and space, finding that parietal regions are key for spatial prediction, while cerebellar and prefrontal areas handle temporal prediction. This suggests spatial processing is essential for understanding time.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Perception of time and spatial change are interconnected, especially during dynamic events.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can reveal segregated and overlapping brain activations for spatial and temporal processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural basis of spatial and temporal processing using a controlled experimental paradigm.
- To differentiate the brain regions involved in spatial prediction versus temporal prediction.
- To explore the relationship between speed perception, spatial information, and time estimation.
Main Methods:
- fMRI was used to monitor brain activity in subjects performing spatial and temporal anticipation tasks involving a moving ball.
- A balanced paradigm contrasted conditions requiring 'where' or 'when' predictions, alongside judgments of disappearance location and speed.
- Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) was employed for analyzing brain activation patterns.
Main Results:
- Posterior parietal activations were associated with both spatial and temporal predictions.
- Spatial prediction primarily engaged parietal regions, while temporal prediction involved the cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, and pre-SMA.
- Speed perception correlated with parietal activity decrease and increased activation in the caudate nucleus, suggesting a role in time interval demarcation.
Conclusions:
- Parietal-based spatial information appears prerequisite for temporal processing.
- Prefrontal-cerebellar networks support working memory and feedforward processing for temporal assessments.
- The caudate nucleus's involvement suggests integration of space-referenced time processing with clock-like models.
Related Concept Videos
01:27State Space Representation
The frequency-domain technique, commonly used in analyzing and designing feedback control systems, is effective for linear, time-invariant systems. However, it falls short when dealing with nonlinear, time-varying, and multiple-input multiple-output systems. The time-domain or state-space approach addresses these limitations by utilizing state variables to construct simultaneous, first-order differential equations, known as state equations, for an nth-order system.
Consider an RLC circuit, a...
Consider an RLC circuit, a...
01:17Space-Time Curvature and the General Theory of Relativity
In 1905, Albert Einstein published his special theory of relativity. According to this theory, no matter in the universe can attain a speed greater than the speed of light in a vacuum, which thus serves as the speed limit of the universe.
This has been verified in many experiments. However, space and time are no longer absolute. Two observers moving relative to one another do not agree on the length of objects or the passage of time. The mechanics of objects based on Newton's laws of motion,...
This has been verified in many experiments. However, space and time are no longer absolute. Two observers moving relative to one another do not agree on the length of objects or the passage of time. The mechanics of objects based on Newton's laws of motion,...
01:23Storage
A schema is a mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemata, formed from previous experiences, influence how we process new information: how we encode it, the inferences we make, and how we retrieve it. For instance, a schema for what a typical classroom looks like might include desks, a teacher's desk, a whiteboard, and students in such an environment. This expectation helps us quickly understand and navigate new classrooms without needing to analyze each...
01:05Cerebral Hemispheres
The human brain, a complex organ, is functionally divided into two cerebral hemispheres—left and right. These hemispheres are interconnected by a structure of paramount importance, the corpus callosum. This substantial bundle of neural fibers is not just a bridge between the hemispheres but a crucial element for the brain's comprehensive functioning. It enables efficient communication between the two hemispheres, allowing each side of the brain to control and receive sensory and motor...
01:29Real-World Applications of Space Curves
Modern aerospace navigation depends on the accurate prediction of motion in three-dimensional space. In defense applications, radar systems continuously track both interceptors and moving aerial targets to find whether their flight paths will result in a collision. These motions are modeled mathematically as space curves, which represent paths that change continuously with time. Each object’s position is described by a vector function that specifies its location in terms of time-dependent...
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements.