Resting-state functional connectivity and fast spindle temporal organization contribute to episodic memory consolidation in healthy aging
bioRxiv – November 28, 2024
Source: medRxiv/bioRxiv/arXiv
Summary
Aging affects how we consolidate memories, but this study reveals that strong brain connections during wakefulness enhance memory retention. It also found that organized sleep spindles boost this effect, promoting better integration of new information. Together, these factors support healthier memory function in older adults.
Abstract
Episodic memory consolidation relies on the functional specialization of brain networks and sleep quality, both of which are affected by aging. Functional connectivity during wakefulness is crucial to support the integration of newly acquired information into memory networks. Additionally, the temporal dynamics of sleep spindles facilitates overnight memory consolidation by promoting hippocampal replay and integration of memories within neocortical structures. This study aimed at exploring how resting-state functional connectivity during wakefulness contributes to sleep-dependent memory consolidation in aging, and whether spindles clustered in trains modulates this relationship.