About this Research Topic

Background

Navigation, i.e. the ability to estimate our position and track and plan our path in our topographical environment, relies not only on detection and perception of our own motion but also on evaluation of the duration of this motion. Thus, it is no wonder that recent studies suggest that the representations of space and time share the same metrics and cortical network, presumably located in the right temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). There is growing, but still scarce, evidence of links between spatial processing and time perception. For example, subjects who observe downscaled environments experience an underestimation of duration that is proportional to the scale-model environments being observed. Likewise, hemi-spatial neglect patients grossly underestimate durations when the target stimuli are presented on the neglected side.

The vestibular system signals head movements and gravity, but its influence is not restricted to balance reflexes at the brainstem level as recent evidence shows that vestibular processing is involved in spatial cognition and time perception. Self-motion perception relies mainly on visual, vestibular, and somatosensory cues. In darkness, or in an impoverished environment in visual cues, the processing of vestibular cues is critical for spatial cognition. However, the vestibular system signals head angular velocity (semicircular canals) and head linear accelerations, inertial or gravitational (otolith organs), while spatial orientation relies on position (angular and linear); thus, those vestibular signals need additional processing, i.e. time integration, in the cerebral cortex in order to derive head angular position from head velocity and head linear position from head linear acceleration.

The TPJ continuously processes data from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory channels for updating our spatial maps. However, the TPJ is also involved in time perception. As we know from experiments, patients with lesions of the TPJ display a correlated deficit in vestibular spatial perception and motion duration perception suggesting that temporal integration of self-motion velocity occurs in the TPJ and providing an explanation as to why a time perception deficit could lead to spatial disorientation. In addition, because changes in the level of gravity affect the vestibular system (due to an increase or decrease in tonic otolith inputs) we can expect alterations in time perception and space orientation. Such alterations are also expected in patients with vestibular disorders.

The aim of this Research Topic is to address these influences of the vestibular system on time perception and spatial cognition, as well as how they are linked and contributions addressing this, as well as the effects of vestibular disorders or alterations in levels of gravity are welcomed.

Keywords: Vestibular System, Time Perception, Spatial Cognition, Weightlessness, Microgravity, Hypergravity, Space Flight

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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