Possible mechanisms underlying time perception: decoupling internal and external time

TL;DR

This paper introduces a mathematical model to explore how internal and external time perception can become decoupled, especially in critical health states like brain death, advancing understanding of time perception mechanisms.

Contribution

It proposes a novel parametrically heterogeneous power equation model to formalize internal-external time decoupling, enabling investigation of critical conditions like brain death.

Findings

Identifies three key parameters influencing time to brain death

Models internal time increase following cardiac arrest

Provides a framework for future theoretical exploration

Abstract

Alignment between subjective sense of time and chronological time can become skewed as a result of pharmacological interventions, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's disease), or even in the moments preceding brain death. Despite increased understanding of mechanisms governing time perception and the activity of the "internal clock" (such as the functionality of the dopamine system in the basal ganglia of the midbrain), there currently exist no mathematical models that allow investigation of changes in time perception through formalizing the decoupling of "internal" and "external" time. Here we propose such a model using a parametrically heterogeneous power equation, and use it to investigate the critical case of indefinite increase in internal time following cardiac arrest and preceding brain death. We identify three critical parameters that determine time to brain death and provide an analysis of the relevant quantities. We hope that our model can lay foundation for further mathematical and theoretical exploration of this complex topic.