About this Research Topic
This topic aims to contribute to a greater understanding of time patterns and their functions in human neuroscience (including implications for medicine, psychiatry, psychology, education and other fields). Research that identifies a significant time pattern, demonstrates the functional importance of a pattern (or interacting time patterns), or reports on applications of time patterns in novel contexts would be of particular interest.
By way of illustration only, consider the many time patterns that impact on learning and memory in adolescence. Time patterns are central in learning and memory; circadian rhythms and sleep; and human nervous system development. Some of these time patterns trigger responses that occur in very short periods of time (late Long-term Potentiation) yet can have long term consequences (memories can last a lifetime). 24-hour time patterns of circadian rhythms and sleep can directly impact on learning, health and mental health in adolescence. It recently has been suggested that time patterns in adolescence show gene, environment, and time interactions that impact directly in the onset of mental illness.
Identifying specific timing patterns can be complex. In part this is because of the very different time scales simultaneously in play. Time patterns in learning and memory include elements that are conserved through evolution (the activation of CREB) and operate in minutes. CREB activation itself can be triggered by specific time patterns.
Demonstrating the functional importance of timing patterns precisely is of vital importance. For example circadian and sleep patterns impact on cognitive, emotional and somatic functioning. When circadian and sleep patterns in adolescence are synchronizing to external timing patters (such as the start of the school day), their impact on cognitive, emotional and somatic functions is positive. When they are desynchronized, the impact is negative.
These patterns are, of course, only a single example. There are many other aspects of human neuroscience in which time patterns are of critical importance. We welcome submissions from researchers in any area where time patterns and their functions are of significance in human neuroscience.
By way of illustration only, consider the many time patterns that impact on learning and memory in adolescence. Time patterns are central in learning and memory; circadian rhythms and sleep; and human nervous system development. Some of these time patterns trigger responses that occur in very short periods of time (late Long-term Potentiation) yet can have long term consequences (memories can last a lifetime). 24-hour time patterns of circadian rhythms and sleep can directly impact on learning, health and mental health in adolescence. It recently has been suggested that time patterns in adolescence show gene, environment, and time interactions that impact directly in the onset of mental illness.
Identifying specific timing patterns can be complex. In part this is because of the very different time scales simultaneously in play. Time patterns in learning and memory include elements that are conserved through evolution (the activation of CREB) and operate in minutes. CREB activation itself can be triggered by specific time patterns.
Demonstrating the functional importance of timing patterns precisely is of vital importance. For example circadian and sleep patterns impact on cognitive, emotional and somatic functioning. When circadian and sleep patterns in adolescence are synchronizing to external timing patters (such as the start of the school day), their impact on cognitive, emotional and somatic functions is positive. When they are desynchronized, the impact is negative.
These patterns are, of course, only a single example. There are many other aspects of human neuroscience in which time patterns are of critical importance. We welcome submissions from researchers in any area where time patterns and their functions are of significance in human neuroscience.
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.
