From Creation to Consolidation: A Novel Framework for Memory Processing
2009

Understanding How Our Brain Processes Memories

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Edwin M. Robertson

Primary Institution: Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America

Hypothesis

How does the brain regulate offline processing of memories after their initial encoding?

Conclusion

The study proposes a framework for understanding how memories are processed differently during wakefulness and sleep.

Supporting Evidence

  • Distinct brain circuits are engaged during wakefulness and sleep for memory processing.
  • Memory consolidation can be influenced by the type of practice and the nature of the task.
  • Interactions between memory systems can block or enhance memory consolidation.

Takeaway

Our brains keep working on memories even after we've learned something, like playing squash, and this happens differently when we're awake versus when we're asleep.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pbio.1000019

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