How Sleep affects Memory and Congition

Functional neuroimaging insights into how sleep and sleep deprivation affect memory and cognition.
Chee Michael WL and Chuah Lisa YM b
Current Opinion in Neurology. 24(4):417-423, August 2008.

Purpose of review: The review summarizes current knowledge about what fMRI has revealed regarding the neurobehavioral correlates of sleep deprivation and sleep-dependent memory consolidation.

Recent findings: Functional imaging studies of sleep deprivation have characterized its effects on a number of cognitive domains, the best studied of these being working memory. There is a growing appreciation that it is important to consider inter individual differences in vulnerability to sleep deprivation, task and task difficulty when interpreting imaging results. Our understanding of the role of sleep and the dynamic evolution of offline memory consolidation has benefited greatly from human imaging studies. Both hippocampal-dependent and hippocampal-independent memory systems have been studied.

Summary: Functional imaging studies contrasting sleep-deprived and well-rested brains provide substantial evidence that sleep is highly important for optimal cognitive function and learning. The experimental paradigms developed to date merit evaluation in clinical settings to determine the impact of sleep disruption in sleep disorders.

1 comment:

How the SIDS Back to Sleep Campaign Caused the Autism Epidemic said...

"Functional imaging studies contrasting sleep-deprived and well-rested brains provide substantial evidence that sleep is highly important for optimal cognitive function and learning."

If this is correct then how can the current medical advice to prevent Slow-wave sleep (Stage 3 and Stage 4 NREM) in infants be safe? Slow wave sleep (SWS) is when infants die of SIDS. So, pediatricians no longer allow infants to get SWS. Is this safe?