R12 Questions

Question 1

The focus of early research examining the relationship between sleep and memory focused on REM sleep. Why?

Answer 1

Brain’s nighttime processing of memories would be related to dreaming.

Question 2

Describe the 2007 experiment by Rasch, in which SWS was shown to be important for enhancing memory during sleep.

Answer 2

Participants were required to learn the locations of a set of objects while simultaneously smelling the odor of a rose. Then, those who slept encountered the same odor while electrical recordings confirmed each sleep stage. When awakening, the participants were able to recall locations more accurately.

Question 3

In the Rasch’s experiment, which area of brain was activated in response to the odor, and what is the general function of this brain area?

Answer 3

Hippocampus; the memory center & critical for navigation and sorting new knowledge.

Question 4

What is TMR? How did the authors use this procedure to enhance spatial memories?

Answer 4

Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) which uses external cues to make changes in recently stored memories

They taught people the locations of 50 objects while they would simultaneously hear a corresponding sound. People were able to remember locations cued during sleep better.

Question 5

Give the brain origin of the following three types of brain waves: slow waves, spindles, & sharp wave ripples?

Answer 5

slow waves: cerebral cortex
spindles: thalamus
sharp wave ripples: hippocampus

Question 6

In Anat Arzi’s study, what sleep manipulation decreased smoking by 30% in the week that followed?

Answer 6

Smelling a mix of both odors of cigarette smoke and rotten fish