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Review
. 2016 Sep 8:2:16016.
doi: 10.1038/npjamd.2016.16. eCollection 2016.

Time distortions in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and theoretical integration

Mohamad El Haj  1 , Dimitrios Kapogiannis  2
Affiliations
Review

Time distortions in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and theoretical integration

Mohamad El Haj et al. NPJ Aging Mech Dis. .

Abstract

Time perception is an essential function of the human brain, which is compromised in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we review empirical findings on time distortions in AD and provide a theoretical framework that integrates time and memory distortions in AD and explains their bidirectional modulation. The review was based on a literature survey performed on the PubMed and PsycInfo databases. According to our theoretical framework, time distortions may induce decline in the ability to mentally project oneself in time (i.e., mental time travel), and consequently may contribute to an episodic memory compromise in AD. Conversely, episodic memory compromise in AD may result in a loss of the ability to retrieve information about time and/or the ability to project oneself in subjective time. The relationship between time distortions and memory decline in AD can be jointly attributed to hippocampus involvement, as this brain area supports both time perception and memory and is preferentially targeted by the neuropathological processes of AD. Clinical implications of time distortions are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of the selection process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The hippocampus (here in purple) support both time perception and episodic memory. This brain area is preferentially targeted by the neuropathological processes in AD, which may support the relationship between time distortions and episodic memory decline in the disease. AD, Alzheimer’s disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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