Control Principles of Neural Dynamics Revealed by the Neurobiology of Timing

Cognition unfolds dynamically over flexible timescales. A major goal of the field is to understand the computational and neurobiological principles that enable this flexibility. Here, we argue that the neurobiology of timing provides a platform for tackling these questions. We begin with an overview of proposed coding schemes for the representation of elapsed time, highlighting their computational properties. We then leverage the one-dimensional and unidirectional nature of time to highlight common principles across these coding schemes. These principles facilitate a precise formulation of questions related to the flexible control, variability, and calibration of neural dynamics. We review recent work that demonstrates how dynamical systems analysis of thalamocortical population activity in timing tasks has provided fundamental insights into how the brain calibrates and flexibly controls neural dynamics. We conclude with speculations about the architectural biases and neural substrates that support the control and calibration of neural dynamics more generally.