Study strengthens sleep memory link
25-02-2010
New research into early brain development may shed further light on the importance of sleep for forming memory, as well as the wider reasons why we sleep and why sleep deprivation is so harmful. A team at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, led by associate professor of Neuroscience Marcos Frank PhD, looked at animal neural connections and how they reacted when subjects were asleep and awake.
The investigation revealed that cellular changes documented in the brain during sleep were directly linked to developing memory, suggesting that the brain is physically more capable of memory processes when asleep, with what was described as a “switch being thrown, making everything that’s necessary… for the basis of memory formation” taking place.
“This is the first real direct insight into how the brain, on a cellular level, changes the strength of its connections during sleep,” said Dr. Frank. “As soon as the animal had a chance to sleep, we saw all the machinery of memory start to engage.”
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The investigation revealed that cellular changes documented in the brain during sleep were directly linked to developing memory, suggesting that the brain is physically more capable of memory processes when asleep, with what was described as a “switch being thrown, making everything that’s necessary… for the basis of memory formation” taking place.
“This is the first real direct insight into how the brain, on a cellular level, changes the strength of its connections during sleep,” said Dr. Frank. “As soon as the animal had a chance to sleep, we saw all the machinery of memory start to engage.”
Get the night’s sleep you’ve always dreamed of with an Ergo Flex visco elastic memory foam mattress. Designed to provide superior pressure-relieving performance, our mattresses deliver rejuvenation to your mind and body. Take a look at our memory foam mattress page to see our whole range, including single, double, king size, European king size and super king size mattress variations, or call 0845 450 2338 to speak to one of our specialist memory foam mattress advisors.
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