REM theta supports consolidation of select procedural memories such as emotional memory, but not skilled motor memory¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (3 entries) · review r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2017 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Consolidation of emotional memory is susceptible to REM disruption, and amygdala-hippocampal theta interactions during post-training REM predict more robust fear memory. → Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré 2017 q2 i? REM disruption does not affect consolidation of a skilled motor task depending partly on the dorsal striatum, which lacks theta coordination during REM. → Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré 2017 (2) q2 i? Causal evidence shows interfering with hippocampal theta during REM disrupts contextual memory consolidation without disrupting REM sleep itself. → Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré 2017 (3)

Evidence¶

Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré 2017¶

Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré. (2017). Common oscillatory mechanisms across multiple memory systems. npj Science of Learning 2:1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-016-0001-2

q2 · i? · review · r2

The review attributes to rodent work that "the amygdala exhibits stronger theta interactions with the hippocampus in subjects that subsequently showed more robust fear memory" during post-training REM; the review reports emotional memory consolidation is susceptible to REM disruption.

"Moreover, during post-training REM sleep, the amygdala exhibits stronger theta interactions with the hippocampus in subjects that subsequently showed more robust fear memory."

Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré 2017 (2)¶

Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré. (2017). Common oscillatory mechanisms across multiple memory systems. npj Science of Learning 2:1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-016-0001-2

q2 · i? · review · r2

The review reports a null finding: "REM disruption does not affect consolidation of a skilled motor task" depending partly on the dorsal striatum, consistent with absent striatal theta during REM; no effect size is printed.

"For instance, REM disruption does not affect consolidation of a skilled motor task, 122 which depends partly on the dorsal striatum."

Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré 2017 (3)¶

Drew B. Headley and Denis Paré. (2017). Common oscillatory mechanisms across multiple memory systems. npj Science of Learning 2:1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-016-0001-2

q2 · i? · causal · r?

The review cites a closed-loop optogenetic experiment as causal evidence that "interfering with hippocampal theta during REM" disrupts contextual memory consolidation while sparing REM sleep itself.

"Boyce et al. 43 showed that the consolidation of contextual memories is disrupted by interfering with hippocampal theta during REM, using close-loop optogenetic manipulations of the MS-DBB that did not disrupt REM sleep per se."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples during SWS and waking support memory consolidation and spatial task performance — related
• A biophysical LA model showed both auditory thalamic plasticity and intra-amygdala plasticity contribute to fear memory, with thalamic responsiveness essential during learning but dispensable after training — related