1. Theta activity during encoding interacts with NREM sleep oscillations to predict memory generalization
- Author
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Tamara Gibson, Alex Chatburn, Zachariah R. Cross, Gibson, Tamara, Cross, Zachariah R, and Chatburn, Alex
- Subjects
generalisation ,Sleep spindle ,encoding ,Non-rapid eye movement sleep ,sleep spindles ,Nap ,Behavioral Neuroscience ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology ,Neurology ,theta ,Encoding (memory) ,Generalization (learning) ,Memory consolidation ,Sleep (system call) ,EEG ,false memory ,Psychology ,consolidation ,Associative property ,Biological Psychiatry ,Cognitive psychology - Abstract
Relatively little is known regarding the interaction between encoding-related neural activity and sleep-based memory consolidation. One suggestion is that a function of encoding-related theta power may be to ‘tag’ memories for subsequent processing during sleep. This study aimed to extend previous work on the relationships between sleep spindles, slow oscillation-spindle coupling and task-related theta activity with a combined Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) and nap paradigm. This allowed us to examine the influence of task- and sleep-related oscillatory activity on the recognition of both encoded list words and associative theme words. Thirty-three participants (29 females, mean age = 23.2 years) learned and recognised DRM lists separated by either a 2hr wake or sleep period. Mixed-effects modelling revealed the sleep condition endorsed more associative theme words and fewer list words in comparison to the wake group. Encoding-related theta power was also found to influence sleep spindle density, and this interaction was predictive of memory outcomes. The influence of encoding-related theta was specific to sleep spindle density, and did not appear to influence the strength of slow oscillation-spindle coupling as it relates to memory outcomes. The finding of interactions between wakeful and sleep oscillatory-related activity in promoting memory and learning has important implications for theoretical models of sleep-based memory consolidation.
- Published
- 2022