Two studies conducted by UCLA investigators provide fresh perspectives on how neurons in the human brain encode the fundamental elements of consciousness—time and space. These are the cornerstone dimensions of our experience, enabling us to recollect the past and imagine the future.

By employing specialized depth electrodes, the researchers examined epilepsy patients, uncovering “place cells” related to spatial awareness and “time cells” involved in understanding temporal aspects.

One of the studies demonstrated the independent yet simultaneous functioning of these cells during navigation tasks. Another study revealed that specific neurons maintained consistent temporal patterns regardless of the speed of external stimuli.

Two crucial sets of findings emerged:

1. The human brain encompasses specialized cells such as “place cells” and “grid cells” for spatial mapping and “time cells” for tracking temporal sequences. Notably, during navigation in a virtual environment, place cells exhibit a consistent pattern, while time cells demonstrate variability based on the task at hand. This suggests a notable separation between the neuronal dimensions of time and space.
2. The discovery of temporally periodic cells (TPCs) reveals distinct periodic behavior across various time scales. This unique behavior potentially serves as a metric for understanding both temporal and spatial representations within the brain.