Identical brain mechanisms are responsible for triggering memory in both sleep and wakefulness, new research has shown. The study sheds new light on the processes used by the brain to 'reactivate' memories during sleep, consolidating them so they can be retrieved later.
Although the importance of sleep in stabilising memories is a well-established concept, the neural mechanisms underlying this are still poorly understood.
In this study, published in Cell Reports, scientists have been able to show for the first time in humans that distinctive neural patterns in the brain which are triggered when remembering specific memories while awake, reappear during subsequent sleep. The findings provide further evidence of the beneficial effects of sleep on memory formation.
The team used a technique called Targeted Memory Reactivation, which is known to enhance memory. In the experiment, previously learned information - in this case foreign vocabulary - is played back to a person while asleep.
Using electroencephalography, the brain signals of the study participants were recorded while learning and remembering the foreign vocabulary before sleep.
Subsequently, the researchers recorded the distinct neural pathways activated as the sleeping volunteers' brains reacted to hearing the words they had learned.
Comparing neural signals fired by the brain in each state, the researchers were able to show clear similarities in brain activity.
The research lead says: "Although sleep and wakefulness might seem to have little in common, this study shows that brain activity in each of these states might be more similar than we previously thought. The neural activity we recorded provides further evidence for how important sleep is to memory and, ultimately, for our well-being."
The co-lead author said: "Understanding how memories are reactivated in different states also provides insight into how these memories could be altered - which might for example be interesting in therapeutic settings."
The team is planning a follow-on study, devising ways to investigate spontaneous memory activation during sleep. Using advanced machine learning techniques, the researchers can record and interpret neural patterns in the brain, identifying where memories are activated without the need for an external prompt.
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/latest/2018/10/memory-brainwaves-look-the-same-in-sleep-and-wakefulness.aspx
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(18)31482-7
Latest News
Metabolic rewiring promotes…
By newseditor
Posted 18 Apr
A drug to prevent flu-induc…
By newseditor
Posted 18 Apr
New origin of deep brain waves
By newseditor
Posted 17 Apr
Starving cells hijack prote…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Apr
Miniature battery-free epid…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Apr
Other Top Stories
Migraine-linked protein exhibits sex-specific pain effects
Read more
Potential biomarker for prion disease drugs
Read more
Altered GABA receptor trafficking and social behavior from protein…
Read more
Active life style helps in the recovery after spinal cord injury fa…
Read more
Dendritic spine changes implicated in remission behaviors after ket…
Read more
Protocols
MemPrep, a new technology f…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
A tangible method to assess…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Apr
Stem cell-derived vessels-o…
By newseditor
Posted 06 Apr
Single-cell biclustering fo…
By newseditor
Posted 01 Apr
Modular dual-color BiAD sen…
By newseditor
Posted 31 Mar
Publications
How does the microbiota con…
By newseditor
Posted 18 Apr
The integrated stress respo…
By newseditor
Posted 18 Apr
The immunobiology of herpes…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Apr
Circulating microbiome DNA…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Apr
Spindle oscillations in com…
By newseditor
Posted 17 Apr
Presentations
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
RNA structure and functions
By newseditor
Posted 19 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar