Is the role of sleep in memory consolidation overrated?. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dastgheib, Mohammad; Kulanayagam, Asvini; Dringenberg, Hans C.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 140(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Sleep -- Memory consolidation -- Electroencephalogram (EEG) -- Reactivation -- Replay -- Wakefulness -- Synaptic plasticity; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Abstract: Substantial empirical evidence suggests that sleep benefits the consolidation and reorganization of learned information. Consequently, the concept of "sleep-dependent memory consolidation" is now widely accepted by the scientific community, in addition to influencing public perceptions regarding the functions of sleep. There are, however, numerous studies that have presented findings inconsistent with the sleep-memory hypothesis. Here, we challenge the notion of "sleep-dependency" by summarizing evidence for effective memory consolidation independent of sleep. Plasticity mechanisms thought to mediate or facilitate consolidation during sleep (e.g., neuronal replay, reactivation, slow oscillations, neurochemical milieu) also operate during non-sleep states, particularly quiet wakefulness, thus allowing for the stabilization of new memories. We propose that it is not sleep per se, but the engagement of plasticity mechanisms, active during both sleep and (at least some) waking states, that constitutes the critical factor determining memory formation. Thus, rather than playing a "critical" role, sleep falls along a continuum of behavioral states that vary in their effectiveness to support memory consolidation at the neural and behavioral level. Highlights: evidence of sleep-independent memory consolidation is reviewed. plasticity mechanisms are active during sleep and wakefulness. quiet waking is particularly conducive to plasticity induction and consolidation. sleep is one among several behavioral states that allow for effective memory formation.