Low frequency effects of targeted memory reactivations on subsequent recall processes

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2017-08-01

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en

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There is an unmistakable link between the sleeping state and memory. The leading theory to explain this effect is the systems consolidation theory (Rasch & Born, 2013) : a memory is consolidated through repeated, unconscious reactivations of prior learned memories. This project furthers the research into this theory by studying both the behavioral and oscillatory effects of these reactivations through targeted memory reactivations. Participants learned word-image pairs, of which half were then reactivated during a period of sleep by playing back the words in the pair. The long-term effects of this manipulation were then studied during subsequent cued recall. We observed clear behavioral performance increases as a result of cueing, as well as alpha band desynchronization related to successful recall and stronger lateralized activity as a result of cueing. Our results suggest that memory replay helps preserve the memory trace and thus make the memory more accessible during recall.

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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen