The Neural Networks Underlying the Illusion of Time Dilation

Granger causality connectivity analysis of high-frequency (>80 Hz) resting state awake electrocorticography at the primary site in the right claustrum (shown in Fig A) identified bidirectional connections with an extensive cortico-cortical network; a stronger outflow (Fig D) than inflow (Fig C) component was noted. The areas included the right prefrontal cortex with greater involvement of the superior and middle than inferior frontal gyri, the supplementary motor area (SMA; by depth electrode) and mesial temporal depth electrode, intra-parietal cortex, and junctional temporo-occipital regions. Less prominent connections were seen over the temporal region at large and the peri-Rolandic regions. Resting-state functional-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) connectivity of a seed area in the right claustrum (shown in Fig A) by arithmetic correlation of a BOLD signal at 0.2 threshold, revealed co-activation in the bilateral homologous mid-claustrum-insular, putamen, and SMA regions (Fig E) and contralateral cerebellum. Afterward, the patient underwent a resection of the right face motor area, where the seizures originated and sparing the regions producing the illusion. He remained free of motor seizures at 27-month follow-up. Reports of humans experiencing time dilation during ECS are rare. It is most consistent with a right “non-dominant” hemispheric lateralization that is not mapped as frequently as the dominant hemisphere. These findings are consistent with previous reports on right hemispheric preferences in time perception.1, 2 The connectivity with the superior frontal gyrus highlights the complexity of the executive relationship in humans. The relationship with the mesial frontal and supplementary motor areas substantiates the role of time processing in motor decision making and vice versa. Interaction of the intra-parietal area and the temporo-occipital region suggests that sensory stimuli influence time judgment. In addition, the relationship to mesial temporal structures is compatible with recent discoveries of time-cells that encode the sequence of observed stimuli and contribute to episodic memory.3 The mapped networks are compatible with disorders showing alteration in time awareness. This includes attention deficit disorder, impulsiveness, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. Time perception alterations have also been reported in fluctuating states of mind, such as boredom or subjective sense of “fun.”4 There is evidence to support the role of a dopaminergic system with alterations encountered in drug use, Parkinson's disease, and aging.5 Our findings support the hierarchical view of time perception in the brain that depends on integrating multiple neural systems from various networks. In that construct, the right mid-claustrum/insula most likely serves as a pacemaker interacting with accumulators spanning large neocortical and medial temporal regions. The authors wish to acknowledge R. Todd Constable for help in data collection. R.A. contributed to the conception and design of the study. R.A., D.D., and M.S. contributed to the acquisition and analysis of data. D.D., M.K., M.S., and R.A. contributed to drafting the text or preparing the figures. Nothing to report.