In collaboration with Computer Science, please join us in Moore BO3 on Monday, February 20, 2017, at 4 p.m., as Sara Mednick, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at University of California, Riverside, presents  “Investigating Central and Autonomic Nervous System Contributions to Memory Consolidation during Sleep."

Abstract:  New memories need to be transformed into more stable representations or they will be forgotten. Just as there are many forms of memory, there are likely many routes whereby these recent memories can be consolidated. It is well established that sleep is one period optimized for consolidation. In my talk, I will address two questions. First, what is the nature of sleep-dependent consolidation in terms of critical electrophysiological events that determine successful memory retrieval? I will review our recent work using pharmacological interventions to explore the critical function for consolidation of individual sleep events and events that are coupled together. Second, what is the role of the autonomic nervous system in memory consolidation? Specifically, is the “rest and digest” function of the parasympathetic nervous system critical for sleep-dependent cognitive processes? For this question, I will discuss our recent data on heart rate variability during sleep and its relationship with memory improvement. In summary, I hope to illustrate a dynamic relationship that exists between the autonomic and central nervous system that facilitates the consolidation of recent experiences into long-term memories.

A reception will follow outside of Moore 202.