Abstract
We examined activity in the frontal cortex as monkeys performed a duration-discrimination task. Two stimuli, one red and the other blue, appeared sequentially on a video screen-in either order. Later, both stimuli reappeared, and to receive a reward the monkeys had to choose the stimulus that had lasted longer during its initial presentation. Some neurons encoded stimulus duration, but a larger number of cells represented their relative duration, which was encoded in three ways: whether the first or second stimulus had lasted longer; whether the red or blue stimulus had lasted longer; or, less commonly, as the difference between the two durations. As the monkeys' choice approached, the signal encoding which stimulus (red or blue) had lasted longer increased as the order-based signal dissipated. By representing stimulus durations and relative durations-both bound to stimulus features and event order-the frontal cortex could contribute to both temporal perception and episodic memory. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
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pagine (da-a) | 254-266 |
Numero di pagine | 13 |
Rivista | Neuron |
Volume | 63 |
Numero di pubblicazione | 2 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2009 |
Keywords
- monkeys
- timing
- prefrontal cortex