Cited by 1,113Sleep and Wakefulness ResearchMemory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and Influences

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Sleep-Dependent Learning and Memory Consolidation

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Walker, Matthew P., Stickgold, Robert·2004·Neuron

DOI 10.1016/j.neuron.2004.08.031

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Abstract

While the functions of sleep remain largely unknown, one of the most exciting and contentious hypotheses is that sleep contributes importantly to memory. A large number of studies offer a substantive body of evidence supporting this role of sleep in what is becoming known as sleep-dependent memory processing. This review will provide evidence of sleep-dependent memory consolidation and sleep-dependent brain plasticity and is divided into five sections: (1) an overview of sleep stages, memory categories, and the distinct stages of memory development; (2) a review of the specific relationships between sleep and memory, both in humans and animals; (3) a survey of evidence describing sleep-dependent brain plasticity, including human brain imaging studies as well as animal studies of cellular neurophysiology and molecular biology. We close (4) with a consideration of unanswered questions as well as existing arguments against the role of sleep in learning and memory and (5) a concluding summary.

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“Furthermore, we conducted exposure on two consecutive days, as there is substantial evidence that sleep is critical for learning and memory consolidation (see for example Stickgold, 2005; Walker & Stickgold, 2004).”
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“Perceptual learning generally depends upon sleep-mediated consolidation (Fenn, Nusbaum, and Margoliash, 2003; Karni et al., 1994; Maquet, 2001; Walker and Stickgold, 2004).”
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“, 2012), and specifically in memory consolidation (Walker and Stickgold, 2004; Rasch et al., 2007; Jackson et al., 2008), and thus learning-related changes during unconscious states would appear to be both important and complimentary to those occurring during conscious ones.”
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“Consolidation of non-hippocampal learning, including perceptual learning (Censor et al., 2006; Fenn et al., 2003) and motor skill acquisition (described in detail below), can also benefit from sleep (King et al., 2017; Korman et al., 2003; Walker & Stickgold, 2004).”
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“…have been identi ﬁ ed in terms of the unique contributions that sleep makes to different forms of memory (e.g., declarative vs. procedural) (Walker and Stickgold 2004; Walker 2005; Diekelmann and Born 2010; Born and Wilhelm 2012; Rasch and Born 2013; Stickgold 2013; Peigneux et al. 2015).”
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“We then tested whether the known association between sleep spindles and successful memory consolidation (Cairney et al., 2018; Diekelmann & Born, 2010; Seibt et al., 2017; Walker & Stickgold, 2004), can be observed with the vPAL paradigm.”
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Authors: Walker, M. P., & Stickgold, R.
Affiliations: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author: Walker, Matthew P.
Stickgold, Robert
ORCID: Walker, Matthew P.
Stickgold, Robert
Venue: Neuron
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2004-09
Volume: 44
Issue: 1
Pages: 121-133
ISSN: 0896-6273 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2004.08.031
OpenAlex: W2003226966
Cited by: 1,113
References: 131
Citations by year: 2026: 52 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 55 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 91 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 64 · 2014: 59 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 35
FWCI: 2.82
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/open-access/userlicense/1.0/ (vor, 3241 d)
Locations: Neuron (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Mental Health
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Keywords: sleep-dependent memory consolidation, sleep-dependent learning, sleep and memory, sleep stages, memory development, neuroplasticity, sleep neurophysiology, molecular mechanisms of memory
MeSH terms: Animals, Humans, Learning, Memory, Neuronal Plasticity, Psychomotor Performance, Sleep, Sleep Deprivation

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Sleep-Dependent Learning and Memory Consolidation

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