A Network of Topographic Maps in Human Association Cortex Hierarchically Transforms Visual Timing-Selective Responses

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Sensory Processing

Background:

• Accurate timing of sub-second sensory events is essential for human perception and action.
• This ability underpins complex behaviors like speech, music, driving, and sports, requiring timing-dependent multisensory integration and action planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how the brain processes sensory event timing for multisensory integration and action planning.
• To identify and characterize neural networks involved in timing perception using advanced neuroimaging techniques.

Main Methods:

• Ultra-high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure brain responses to visual event timing.
• Neural population response models were employed to analyze timing selectivity for event duration and frequency.
• Findings were compared with behavioral, computational, and macaque action planning data.

Main Results:

• An extensive network of topographic timing maps was identified, mirroring sensory cortices and quantity processing networks.
• These maps, partially left lateralized, span from occipital to frontal areas, including visual, parietal, and action planning regions.
• Responses to event duration and frequency were closely linked, with systematic variations in precision and selectivity across maps. Anterior maps showed increased integration and narrowed selectivity.

Conclusions:

• The brain utilizes widespread topographic timing maps for processing sensory event timing, supporting multisensory integration and action planning.
• These timing maps, overlapping with numerosity and visual field maps, likely facilitate hierarchical processing through organized neural interactions.
• The findings provide insights into the neural basis of precise temporal perception and its role in complex human behaviors.