Scientists talked about the effect of slow waves in sleep on memory

Slow electrical fluctuations in the brain during deep sleep make the neocortex more susceptible to memorizing information. This is the conclusion reached by researchers at the Charité University of Berlin, according to the journal Science Daily.

"We have known for many years that these voltage fluctuations contribute to memory formation," said Professor Joerg Geiger, head of the Institute of Neurophysiology at Charité.

According to the study, in the deep sleep phase, the brain transfers the information received during the day from the hippocampus, the area of short—term storage, to the neocortex, where long—term memory is fixed. It is at these moments that slow waves are observed in the crust, and it was previously unclear exactly how they affect this process.

In the new experiment, the specialists used for the first time living human brain tissue obtained during operations in 45 patients. It was outside the patient's body for no more than two days and was preserved in a nutrient medium.

Using the so—called multi-patch technique, a method in which signals from multiple neurons are simultaneously recorded, the researchers reproduced the oscillations characteristic of deep sleep. It turned out that the strength of the synaptic connection between brain cells increases dramatically in a short period of time immediately after the voltage rise.

It is noted that it is at this point that the cortex becomes particularly susceptible to external and internal signals.

"Synapses work most efficiently immediately after voltage increases from low to high. During this short time window, the crust can be considered to be placed on high alert."

According to scientists, this pattern explains why the stimulation of slow-wave sleep can improve memory. These data may be useful for the development of new therapeutic techniques, especially in the treatment of mild cognitive disorders in the elderly. Currently, groups around the world are testing methods of transcranial stimulation and acoustic effects, but such approaches still need to be improved.

"However, these approaches to stimulation are now being optimized through trial and error, which is a time—consuming process," Geiger pointed out.

According to him, the discovery may accelerate the development of personalized methods of external influence to support memory.

Maxim Novikov, a somnologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg Clinic), said on July 11 that poor sleep interferes with weight control due to hormonal imbalance, increased cravings for sweets, less energy, slower metabolism and stress. According to him, sleep directly affects the production of hormones that are responsible for hunger and satiety.

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