Sounds that are in sync with the brain's slow oscillations help
enhance memory, a new study reported. Slow oscillations in the brain
occur during slow-wave sleep and are associated with memory. The sound
stimulations can also help a person sleep better.
"The beauty lies in the simplicity to apply auditory stimulation at low intensities-an approach that is both practical and ethical, if compared for example with electrical stimulation-and therefore portrays a straightforward tool for clinical settings to enhance sleep rhythms," said Dr. Jan Born, of the University of Tübingen, in Germany, co-author of the study.
The study included 11 participants who were exposed to sound simulations or placebo simulations during sleep on different nights. Before the participants went to sleep, they were asked to memorize word association.
Researchers found that when participants were exposed to sounds that synchronized with the brain's slow oscillation rhythm, they were better at remembering the word association than when they were exposed to sounds that weren't in sync.
"Importantly, the sound stimulation is effective only when the sounds occur in synchrony with the ongoing slow oscillation rhythm during deep sleep. We presented the acoustic stimuli whenever a slow oscillation "up state" was upcoming, and in this way we were able to strengthen the slow oscillation, showing higher amplitude and occurring for longer periods," said Dr. Born in a news release.
The study is published in the journal Neuron.
Many studies have shown how sleeping affects recall of information. Complex motor skills can be learned by taking naps. Taking breaks during tasks gives better results, says a study that was published in 2010 in the journal Neuron. Another study has shown that brief amount of sleep after learning preserves memories that, at times, last for years.
SOURCE : http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1341/20130412/sounds-help-strengthen-memory-during-sleep.htm
"The beauty lies in the simplicity to apply auditory stimulation at low intensities-an approach that is both practical and ethical, if compared for example with electrical stimulation-and therefore portrays a straightforward tool for clinical settings to enhance sleep rhythms," said Dr. Jan Born, of the University of Tübingen, in Germany, co-author of the study.
The study included 11 participants who were exposed to sound simulations or placebo simulations during sleep on different nights. Before the participants went to sleep, they were asked to memorize word association.
Researchers found that when participants were exposed to sounds that synchronized with the brain's slow oscillation rhythm, they were better at remembering the word association than when they were exposed to sounds that weren't in sync.
"Importantly, the sound stimulation is effective only when the sounds occur in synchrony with the ongoing slow oscillation rhythm during deep sleep. We presented the acoustic stimuli whenever a slow oscillation "up state" was upcoming, and in this way we were able to strengthen the slow oscillation, showing higher amplitude and occurring for longer periods," said Dr. Born in a news release.
The study is published in the journal Neuron.
Many studies have shown how sleeping affects recall of information. Complex motor skills can be learned by taking naps. Taking breaks during tasks gives better results, says a study that was published in 2010 in the journal Neuron. Another study has shown that brief amount of sleep after learning preserves memories that, at times, last for years.
SOURCE : http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1341/20130412/sounds-help-strengthen-memory-during-sleep.htm
Composite reconstruction of
Au. sediba based on recovered material from MH1, MH2 and MH4 and based
upon the research presented in the accompanying manuscripts. As all
individuals recovered to date are approximately the same size, size
correction was not necessary. Femoral length was established by
digitally measuring a complete femur of MH1 still encased in rock. For
comparison, small-bodied female modern H. sapiens on left, Male Pan
troglodytes on right. Credit: Lee Berger, University of the
Witwatersrand
A team of scientists has pieced together how the hominid
Australopithecus sediba (Au. sediba) walked, chewed, and moved nearly
two million years ago. Their research, which appears in six papers in
the latest issue of the journal Science, also shows that Au. sediba had a
notable feature that differed from that of modern humans—a functionally
longer and more flexible lower back.
Together, the studies offer a comprehensive depiction of some of the
most complete early human ancestral remains ever discovered.
Since its discovery in August 2008, the site of Malapa—located about 30
miles northwest of Johannesburg—has yielded more than 220 bones of early
hominins representing more than five individuals, including the remains
of babies, juveniles, and adults. The evidence published in Science is
based on two individuals from the site. The fossils from the site date
to 1.977 to 1.98 million years in age.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-australopithecus-sediba-hominid-reveals-human.html#jCp
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-04-australopithecus-sediba-hominid-reveals-human.html#jCp
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