Sleep directly following learning benefits consolidation of spatial associative memory.
The last decade has brought forth convincing evidence for a role of sleep in non-declarative memory. A similar function of sleep in episodic memory is supported by various correlational studies, but direct evidence is limited. Here we show that cued recall of face-location associations is significantly higher following a 12-h retention interval containing sleep than following an equally long period of waking. Furthermore, retention is significantly higher over a 24-h sleep-wake interval than over an equally long wake-sleep interval. This difference occurs because retention during sleep was significantly better when sleep followed learning directly, rather than after a day of waking. These data demonstrate a beneficial effect of sleep on memory that cannot be explained solely as a consequence of reduced interference. Rather, our findings suggest a competitive consolidation process, in which the fate of a memory depends, at least in part, on its relative stability at sleep onset: Strong memories tend to be preserved, while weaker memories erode still further. An important aspect of memory consolidation may thus result from the removal of irrelevant memory "debris."
Talamini
Lucia M
LM
Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. L.M.Talamini@uva.nl
Nieuwenhuis
Ingrid L C
IL
Takashima
Atsuko
A
Jensen
Ole
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001244:Association; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology