Strengthening individual memories by reactivating them during sleep

Science. 2009 Nov 20;326(5956):1079. doi: 10.1126/science.1179013.

Abstract

While asleep, people heard sounds that had earlier been associated with objects at specific spatial locations. Upon waking, they recalled these locations more accurately than other locations for which no reminder cues were provided. Consolidation thus operates during sleep with high specificity and is subject to systematic influences through simple auditory stimulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiology
  • Cues
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory*
  • Mental Recall*
  • Sleep Stages
  • Sleep*
  • Sound
  • Young Adult