Neural representations during sleep: From sensory processing to memory traces
Abstract
In the course of a day, the brain undergoes large-scale changes in functional modes, from attentive wakefulness to the deepest stage of sleep. The present paper evaluates how these state changes affect the neural bases of sensory and cognitive representations. Are organized neural representations still maintained during sleep? In other words, despite the absence of conscious awareness, do neuronal signals emitted during sleep contain information and have a functional relevance? Through a critical evaluation of the animal and human literature, neural representations at different levels of integration (from the most elementary sensory level to the most cognitive one) are reviewed. Recordings of neuronal activity in animals at presentation of neutral or significant stimuli show that some analysis of the external word remains possible during sleep, allowing recognition of behaviorally relevant stimuli. Event-related brain potentials in humans confirm the preservation of some sensory integration and discriminative capacity. Behavioral and neuroimaging studies in humans substantiate the notion that memory representations are reactivated and are reorganized during post-learning sleep; these reorganisations may account for the beneficial effects of sleep on behavioral performance. Electrophysiological results showing replay of neuronal sequences in animals are presented, and their relevance as neuronal correlates of memory reactivation is discussed. The reviewed literature provides c…
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In animals, REM sleep is consistently associated with strengthening of conditioned fear memories.
“In animals, REM sleep has been consistently associated with a strengthening of conditioned fear memories (see sect.IIB; for reviews, see, e.g., Refs. 538, 807, 1092Refs. 538, 807, , 1094)).”
From About Sleep's Role in Memory (2013) · cites this paper as [538]
Initial studies showing reactivation of assembly firing patterns during sleep were criticized because the tested animals were highly overtrained in the spatial tasks.
“Results from initial studies showing reactivation of assembly firing patterns during sleep were criticized because the tested animals were highly overtrained in the spatial tasks (538, 1204).”
From About Sleep's Role in Memory (2013) · cites this paper as [538]
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- Authors
- Hennevin, E., Huetz, C., & Edeline, J.-M.
- Affiliations
- Université Paris-Sud (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Hennevin, Elizabeth
- Venue
- Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-03
- Volume
- 87
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 416-440
- ISSN
- 1074-7427 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2082903098
- Cited by
- 133
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 3.08
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Keywords
- sleep, neural representations, memory reactivation, memory consolidation, memory reorganization, event-related potentials, sleep-dependent memory, unconscious processes
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Brain, Evoked Potentials, Humans, Learning, Memory, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Sleep
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