Deficits in temporal processing correlate with clinical progression in Huntington's disease

Abstract

Objectives: Precise temporal performance is crucial for several complex tasks. Time estimation in the second-to-minutes range-known as interval timing-involves the interaction of the basal ganglia and the prefrontal cortex via dopaminergic-glutamatergic pathways. Patients with Huntington´s disease (HD) present deficits in cognitive and motor functions that require fine control of temporal processing. The objective of the present work was to assess temporal cognition through a peak-interval time (PI) production task in patients with HD and its potential correlation with the Unified Huntington´s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS). Materials and methods: Patients with molecular diagnosis of HD and controls matched by age, sex and educational level (n=18/group) were tested for interval timing in short- (3 seconds), medium- (6 seconds) and long (12 seconds)-duration stimuli. Results: Significant differences were observed in the PI task, with worse performance in HD compared to controls. Patients underestimated real time (left-shifted Peak location) for 6- and 12-second intervals (P<.05) and presented decreased temporal precision for all the intervals evaluated (P<.01). Importantly, a significant correlation was found between time performance and the UHDRS (P<.01). Patients´ responses also deviated from the scalar property. Conclusions: Our results contribute to support that timing functions are impaired in HD in correlation with clinical deterioration. Recordings of cognitive performance related to timing could be a potential useful tool to measure the neurodegenerative progression of movement disorder-related pathologies.