Gedächtniskonsolidierung im Schlaf und ruhigen Wachzustand

Recent research indicates that retrieval of newly acquired memories is increased after periods of sleep compared to equal periods of wakefulness. However, it is currently unclear whether neural processes that are unique to sleep, such as sleep spindles, EEG slow waves or rapid eye movements, actively enhance brain plasticity and the formation of new memories or, alternatively, if new memories are just passively preserved because they are protected from new sensory input during sleep (reduced interference). To address this question, this research project aims at assessing memory consolidation (word-pair, mirror tracing, and texture discrimination) before and after periods of sleep and restful wakefulness (polysomnographic monitoring from 2 pm to 4 pm, conditions counterbalanced, separated by one week) in 24 healthy subjects (12 men, aged 20-30 yrs). Hypothesis 1: Memory retrieval after periods containing sleep will be significantly enhanced compared to periods containing uniquely restful wakefulness. Hypothesis 2: Memory consolidation will be correlated with sleep-specific processes (number of sleep spindles, amount of slow wave and REM sleep, number of rapid eye movements).

Ansprechpartner: Nissen C
Tel: 0761-270-6573
Email: christoph.nissen@uniklinik-freiburg.de

Projektbeginn: 01.09.2007
Projektende: 30.06.2008

Nissen C, Riemann D
Stellvertretung: Riemann D
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
Zentrum für Psychische Erkrankungen (Department)
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie
Hauptstrasse 5
79104 Freiburg

Telefon: +49 / 761 / 270-6501 / -6502
Fax: +49 / 761 / 270-6619
http://www.uniklinik-freiburg.de/psych/live/

Schalf, Gedächtnis, Nap