Time estimation and beta segregation: An EEG study and graph theoretical approach.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging
• Psychophysics

Background:

• Time perception is crucial for cognitive functions.
• Previous research focused on short durations (milliseconds to seconds).
• Understanding neural mechanisms of longer duration perception (minutes) is less explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural correlates of time perception for extended durations (15 minutes).
• To examine brain functional connectivity using electroencephalography (EEG).
• To differentiate neural activity between time overestimation and underestimation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) to record brain activity.
• Employed Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for analyzing spectral power.
• Applied graph theoretical analysis to assess functional network properties.

Main Results:

• Lower beta wave (18-30 Hz) activity was observed in participants who overestimated time.
• Significant differences in beta range functional connectivity were found between over- and under-estimators.
• Under-estimators exhibited a higher clustering coefficient in the beta band network.

Conclusions:

• Beta amplitude in specific brain regions is important for timing.
• Functional network properties, like beta network segregation, are critical for subjective time perception.
• Subjective time may arise from integrated network activity rather than discrete units.