Abstract
Time perception is one of the essential cognitive functions affecting our perception and processing of reality. Time perception operates on various time scales and involves various neuronal mechanisms.
In this paper we focus on timing operating in the range of tenths to tens of seconds, so called interval timing. Interval timing can be under cognitive and volitional control.
There are several theoretical models of interval timing but the precise mechanism is not known yet. Time perception may be altered in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders.
However, the question of whether it stems from an impairment of the primary timing mechanism or from a general cognitive impairment, remains unsolved. Research focused on distortions of time perception in models of neuropsychiatric disorders may contribute to better understanding of basic mechanisms involved in timing.
Potentially, it could also serve for diagnostics or cognitive training in particular neuropsychiatric disorders.