FoundationalConceptsNeuroscience

(Steven Felgate) #1

strengthening the synaptic connections in these networks, thereby
solidifying the associated memory. Thus, adequate sleep both before
and after learning new information or skills is important for memory
storage and consolidation—highly relevant for any student to know!
The relative roles of NREM and REM sleep in memory storage and
consolidation are topics of active investigation. Above and beyond
basic needs for sleep, there also seems to be specific requirements for
REM sleep. Individuals selectively deprived of REM-stage sleep will
fall into REM sleep much more rapidly on subsequent nights. The
prominence of REM in newborns and during the first months of life
suggests that it has an important role in neural development, because
connections in the brain are being robustly formed and modified dur-
ing this period.
Though sleep science is young, and much remains to be discovered
we already know enough to appreciate that getting good sleep is
one of the most important things we can do for physical and mental
health—on par with good nutrition and physical exercise. Let us hope
that public education about the importance of healthy sleep soon
catches up with the science!


To sleep and to dream—
brain, creative, new learning—
and too, other worlds.
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