Protocol to predict time perception bias from cortical neurite microstructures in healthy older adults

Understanding cortical microstructure related to timing is key to studying aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we present a protocol for identifying brain regions involved in time perception using microstructural measures from multi-shell diffusion MRI (dMRI). We outline steps for processing data, applying NODDI (neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging) modeling to extract cortical neurite parameters, and quantifying neurite microstructure patterns. Finally, we detail procedures for predicting time perception bias in a Time-Wall Estimation task using support vector regression (SVR) with cortical neurite microstructures from dMRI. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Kim et al.¹.