Biopsychology Colloquium Speaker

Talk title: Hacking into Sleep to Enhance Learning

Abstract: Human learning often takes hold gradually and requires practice (memory reactivation). This practice need not be intentional. Recent findings suggest that memory reactivation during sleep supports memory consolidation and enduring long-term storage. In particular, Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) with subtle sensory stimulation can modify neural activity while avoiding arousal from sleep. Sounds associated with learning can be presented again during slow-wave sleep to promote memory reactivation. TMR can thus systematically and selectively enhance learning, including learning of object-location associations, verbal associations, skills, and habits. Recordings of brain oscillations during sleep can provide evidence about relevant neurophysiological mechanisms, and in this way elucidate critical contributions of sleep to memory consolidation. This approach to studying and influencing consolidation offers new opportunities for reinforcing learning offline during the many hours we spend sleeping.