Sleep Dependent Memory Consolidation

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Memory Consolidation Requires both REM and non-REM Sleep

Sleep and Memory Consolidation

Sleep is typically described as a reversible , temporary unresponsiveness , and periodic state of suspended behavioral activity and perceptual disengagement from the environment (Maquet 1048 Although the sleeping individual is generally unconscious on the environmental events , he or she is most probably engorged in dreaming (Fischer , Wilhelm , and Born 223 . A typical sleep at night is comprised of about ninety minute cycle periods of rapid-eye movement or REM sleep and non-REM sleep (Stickgold

1273 . The first half in the human sleep is a SWS period with some REM sleep while the opposite of this pattern happens in the late sleep (Gais , Plihal , Wagner , and Born 1335 . The non-REM sleep has four stages wherein its third and fourth stages called slow-wave sleep or SWS , are the deepest with 0 .5 to 4 .0 Hz of electroencephalogram or ECG oscillations (Stickgold 1273 . Also , the non-REM stages varied significantly in dreaming intensity and frequency muscle tone , EEG oscillations , cortical circuit neuromodulation , eye movements , memory system communication , and on the activation of regional parts of the brain (Sullivan and de Sa 3111 . Further , the REM SWS , and the non-REM second stage are directly related to memory processing . These stages have respective cortical neuronal activation characteristics : the slow-wave traits in SWS , the REM theta rhythms and ponto-occipitogeniculate waves , and the spindles of non-REM second stage (Stickgold 1273 . The first half in the human sleep is a SWS period with some...