We are constantly making memories with every experience, but how do they stick to us? A good night’s sleep will give you a final sleep. Recent research shows that as we sleep, neurons in our brains undergo a process that not only preserves past memories, but also prepares for the creation of new memories to come.
new study Published in Natural Communication Mouse amnestic processing was captured by tracking brain neural activity before, during and after learning experiences. The results suggest that proper sleep may be crucial for learning and retaining new information.
How do memories form?
Episode memories are mainly formed and stored in Hippocampuslocated in the temporal lobe of the brain. The hippocampus is the main hub of amnestic processing, but other parts of the brain are also involved. Prefrontal neurons, which are responsible for decision-making and personality expression, play a role in remembering memories. The amygdala, on the other hand, connects emotions to certain memories.
Memory processing is required Two steps:Encoding and integration. During the initial encoding, the brain accumulates sensory information and labels it. After this, integration will ultimately stabilize the memory traces and save them for future recollections in the long run. Sleep helps to consolidate and strengthen memories. It also promotes a process called pruning by removing neural connections that the brain no longer needs to create space for new memories.
read more: Deprived sleep can cause an increase in mental health disorders
Processes memories during sleep
Recent research adds a new dimension to memory processing, extending to previous studies that focus primarily on the role of sleep in storing past memories through specialized neurons called engram cells. Using mouse brain imaging systems, researchers aimed to see how neurons behaved during sleep and processed information from their learning experiences. statement.
Researchers discovered two simultaneous processes during sleep after mice experienced learning experiences. First, we show that the engram cells that initially encoded the learning experience are being re-activated and integrated. Meanwhile, another group of neurons also synced during post-learning sleep. These cells were later named “sculpting” cells as they were found to encode new different learning experiences.
Engram to – To determine the cause of cells, researchers created a neural network model that simulates activity in the hippocampus. This model uncovered two mechanisms in the workplace. Synaptic depression and scaling, both of which regulate the strength of neuronal connections during sleep. Researchers say there is a neural connection between past and future memories, as both engram cells and sculpting cells were activated during sleep after learning.
The importance of sleep
The results of this study suggest that sleep quality can affect the way in which new information can be learned. Understanding how sleep lays the foundation for future memory can affect approaches related to education, cognitive strengthening, and treatment of memory disorders, researchers say.
Although lack of sleep is known to interfere with amnestic processing, the brain may not be prepared to retain information from future learning experiences. Finally, sleep It is suitable for us to remember experiences, a necessary function for a healthy lifestyle.
“I want people to understand that sleep is not just a rest, but rather that it plays an important role in how the brain processes information,” Nishi Chichi, a professor at Yata University who leads the research team, said in a press release. “With that in mind, I hope that everyone starts cherishing more sleep and use it as a way to improve the overall quality of life.”
read more: The incredible role of sleep in strengthening long-term memory
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Jack Knudson is Discover’s assistant editor with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before taking part in the discovery in 2023, he studied journalism at Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communications and previously interned in Recycle Today’s Magazine.
