Optimising memory: Understanding the role of sleep in selective memory strengthening

An adaptive feature of the brain is to select which information to retain in long-term memory, and which information should be forgotten. To be retained long-term, memories need to undergo a period of consolidation. Sleep has been shown to play an important role in these consolidation processes.

This proposal will advance our understanding of long-term memory, by demonstrating how the three core processes of memory formation: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval, interact to selectively promote certain memories.

This aim shall be achieved through a series of experiments utilising advanced electroencephalography techniques and state-of-the-art ‘targeted memory reactivation’.

Experiment one will investigate when memories are initially formed (encoding), how does the brain select a subset to undergo subsequent consolidation.

Experiment two will then determine how sleep facilitates the consolidation of those selected memories, selectively strengthening them to enhance post-sleep memory retrieval.

Finally, Experiment three will attempt to manipulate selection processes, to ask whether external methods can alter the fate of specific memories after initial selection to be remembered or forgotten. The proposed project is a perfect fit to the work program of the fellowship. I will develop critical new skills, which will enhance my potential as an independent scientist.

This fellowship will place me at a world leading European institute, and as such will facilitate my return to the European research community. This will in turn enable my long-term career goal of leading my own research group at a European research institute.