The dopaminergic system dynamic in the time perception: a review of the evidence

Abstract

Dopaminergic system plays a key role in perception, which is an important executive function of the brain. Modulation in dopaminergic system forms an important biochemical underpinning of neural mechanisms of time perception in a very wide range, from milliseconds to seconds to longer daily rhythms. Distinct types of temporal experience are poorly understood, and the relationship between processing of different intervals by the brain has received little attention. A comprehensive understanding of interval timing functions should be sought within a wider context of temporal processing, involving genetic aspects, pharmacological models, cognitive aspects, motor control and the neurological diseases with impaired dopaminergic system. Particularly, an unexplored question is whether the role of dopamine in interval timing can be integrated with the role of dopamine in non-interval timing temporal components. In this review, we explore a wider perspective of dopaminergic system, involving genetic polymorphisms, pharmacological models, executive functions and neurological diseases on the time perception. We conclude that the dopaminergic system has great participation in impact on time perception and neurobiological basis of the executive functions and neurological diseases.

Dissociating Explicit and Implicit Timing in Parkinson’s Disease Patients: Evidence from Bisection and Foreperiod Tasks

“…A well-known hypothesis in the timing literature is that temporal processing in the milliseconds to seconds range involves the basal ganglia and is modulated by the level of dopamine (Meck et al, 2008 ; Marinho et al, 2018 ). Supporting the role of the basal ganglia in timing processes, PD patients usually have severe deficits on various temporal tasks and with various temporal ranges (for a review, see Jones and Jahanshahi, 2014 ).…”

Somatosensory Temporal Discrimination Threshold in Patients with Cognitive Disorders

“…Ventral and dorsal striatum may also intervene in attentional processes through their connections with frontal areas [46][47][48][49][50]. Indeed dopaminergic networks are involved in both interval timing and attention processes via mesocortical and mesolimbic networks [51][52][53]. Attentional deficits may interfere with all the stages of temporal processing varying from the early automatic encoding phase (STDT) to the more complex processes of the time perception.…”

Convergence of Action, Reaction, and Perception via Neural Oscillations in Dynamic Interaction with External Surroundings

“…psychophysical evidence [75]. This review suggests an important role of certain key molecules, which influence the concentration of synaptic dopamine, in various timing functions of the brain.…”

“…A recent study of review-based evidence, which examined a large number of studies, suggests a key role of the dopaminergic system in various temporal functions of the brain [75]. These conclusions are based on various combinations of genetic, pharmacological, physiological, and Figure 3.…”