Washington: A new study conducted by Neuroscientists has identified a mechanism that may help build memories during deep sleep.
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This study centred on the role of the nucleus reuniens, an area that connects two other brain structures involved in creating memories – the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus – and may coordinate their activity during slow-wave sleep.
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“Slow-waves during sleep benefit our memories for personal experiences, likely due to coordinated activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus,” explained Brandon Hauer, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Science and lead author on the study.
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“We found that the nucleus reuniens is responsible for coordinating synchronous, slow-waves between these two structures. This means that the reuniens may play an essential role in sleep-dependent memory consolidation of events.”
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Slow-wave sleep is the deepest stage of sleep, during which the brain oscillates at a very slow, once-per-second rhythm. It is crucial for muscle and brain recovery and has been shown to play a role in memory consolidation.
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“Before this study, we did not know what was responsible for connecting the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus,” added Hauer, who researched under the supervision of Clay Dickson, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Silvia Pagliardini, associate professor in the Department of Physiology.
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This under-studied and relatively unknown brain area likely have a substantial role in forming long-term memories while you sleep. So if you studied hard for a test and then slept on it, you may have to thank your nucleus reuniens for turning that knowledge into more permanent memory.”
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