Researchers at Rutgers University have uncovered a complex system in the brain that orchestrates how we process information at varying speeds. This study, published in Nature Communications on January 3, 2026, reveals that different regions of the brain operate on distinct internal clocks, affecting cognitive abilities and decision-making.
Understanding the Brain’s Internal Clocks
The human brain continuously processes signals that demand both rapid reactions and more deliberate thought. Each region functions with its own characteristic timing, known as intrinsic neural timescales (INTs). These INTs determine how long a brain area retains information before transitioning to the next signal.
“To affect our environment through action, our brains must combine information processed over different timescales,” explained Linden Parkes, assistant professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers Health and the study’s senior author. The research emphasizes the role of white matter connections in facilitating communication between regions, crucial for our cognitive functions.
Mapping Connectivity in Nearly 1,000 Participants
Parkes and his team analyzed brain imaging data from 960 individuals to create detailed maps of brain connectivity, known as connectomes. By employing mathematical models that illustrate the evolution of complex systems, they traced how information travels through these neural networks. “Our work probes the mechanisms underlying this process in humans by directly modeling regions’ INTs from their connectivity,” Parkes added.
This research draws a direct connection between localized brain processing and how that information sharing impacts behavior. The findings indicate that variability in cognitive abilities among individuals can be linked to differences in how the brain organizes its timing mechanisms.
Implications for Cognitive Abilities and Mental Health
The study showed that the arrangement of neural timescales across the cerebral cortex significantly influences how effectively the brain shifts between activity patterns associated with behavior. Parkes noted, “We found that differences in how the brain processes information at different speeds help explain why people vary in their cognitive abilities.”
Additionally, the research found correlations between these timing patterns and genetic, molecular, and cellular characteristics of brain tissue. Such links were also observed in the brains of mice, suggesting that these mechanisms may be broadly applicable across species.
The implications of this research extend into mental health. The team, in collaboration with Avram Holmes, an associate professor of psychiatry, aims to apply these insights to neuropsychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Understanding how alterations in brain connectivity affect information processing could pave the way for new approaches in treatment and research.
As the team continues to explore these connections, their findings underscore the importance of the brain’s white matter connectivity and its impact on cognitive processing. Such insights not only enhance our understanding of human behavior but also open avenues for addressing cognitive differences and mental health challenges.
