Links between the brain and body during sleep: implications for memory processing

Lauren N. Whitehurst; Anjana Subramoniam; Andrew Krystal; Aric A. Prather

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2021.12.007

Links between the brain and body during sleep: implications for memory processing

Lauren N. Whitehurst, Anjana Subramoniam, Andrew Krystal, Aric A. Prather

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sleep is intimately related to memory processes. The established view is that the transformation of experiences into long-term memories is linked to sleep-related CNS function. However, there is increasing evidence that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), long recognized to modulate cognition during waking, can impact memory processing during sleep. Here, we review human research that examines the role of autonomic activity and sleep in memory formation. We argue that autonomic activity during sleep may set the stage for the CNS dynamics associated with sleep and memory stability and integration. Further, we consider how the link between ANS activity and polysomnographic markers of sleep may help elucidate both healthy and pathological cognitive aging in humans.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	212-223
Number of pages	12
Journal	Trends in Neurosciences
Volume	45
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2021.12.007
State	Published - Mar 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

aging
autonomic nervous system
cognition
memory consolidation
parasympathetic
sympathetic
vagus nerve

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Neuroscience

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.tins.2021.12.007

Cite this

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title = "Links between the brain and body during sleep: implications for memory processing",

abstract = "Sleep is intimately related to memory processes. The established view is that the transformation of experiences into long-term memories is linked to sleep-related CNS function. However, there is increasing evidence that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), long recognized to modulate cognition during waking, can impact memory processing during sleep. Here, we review human research that examines the role of autonomic activity and sleep in memory formation. We argue that autonomic activity during sleep may set the stage for the CNS dynamics associated with sleep and memory stability and integration. Further, we consider how the link between ANS activity and polysomnographic markers of sleep may help elucidate both healthy and pathological cognitive aging in humans.",

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language = "English",

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T1 - Links between the brain and body during sleep

T2 - implications for memory processing

AU - Whitehurst, Lauren N.

AU - Subramoniam, Anjana

AU - Krystal, Andrew

AU - Prather, Aric A.

PY - 2022/3

Y1 - 2022/3

N2 - Sleep is intimately related to memory processes. The established view is that the transformation of experiences into long-term memories is linked to sleep-related CNS function. However, there is increasing evidence that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), long recognized to modulate cognition during waking, can impact memory processing during sleep. Here, we review human research that examines the role of autonomic activity and sleep in memory formation. We argue that autonomic activity during sleep may set the stage for the CNS dynamics associated with sleep and memory stability and integration. Further, we consider how the link between ANS activity and polysomnographic markers of sleep may help elucidate both healthy and pathological cognitive aging in humans.

AB - Sleep is intimately related to memory processes. The established view is that the transformation of experiences into long-term memories is linked to sleep-related CNS function. However, there is increasing evidence that the autonomic nervous system (ANS), long recognized to modulate cognition during waking, can impact memory processing during sleep. Here, we review human research that examines the role of autonomic activity and sleep in memory formation. We argue that autonomic activity during sleep may set the stage for the CNS dynamics associated with sleep and memory stability and integration. Further, we consider how the link between ANS activity and polysomnographic markers of sleep may help elucidate both healthy and pathological cognitive aging in humans.

KW - aging

KW - autonomic nervous system

KW - cognition

KW - memory consolidation

KW - parasympathetic

KW - sympathetic

KW - vagus nerve

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DO - 10.1016/j.tins.2021.12.007

M3 - Review article

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AN - SCOPUS:85123385487

SN - 0166-2236

VL - 45

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EP - 223

JO - Trends in Neurosciences

JF - Trends in Neurosciences

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Links between the brain and body during sleep: implications for memory processing

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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