DNF seminar
Abstract :
How does the sleeping brain allocate resources to the many cognitive processes that vie for attention each night? We have investigated this question first by identifying the behavioral signatures and brain mechanisms underlying individual cognitive functions, such as working memory and long-term memory, and then by investigating whether these functions operate independently, collaboratively, or competitively during sleep. In my talk, I will review this work and introduce our Sleep Oscillation Switch (SOS) model which suggests that the sleeping brain toggles between different states, allocating a shared set of sleep resources to working memory and long-term memory. By biasing the proportion of these sleep resources through experimental interventions, we demonstrate the zero sum game at stake each night and its consequences to cognition. I will also emphasize the critical importance of increasing the complexity of our measurements to better capture the dynamics of the sleeping brain in action. In conclusion, I will propose that sleep is a competitive arena with limited resources, suggesting that we should hasten sleep at every opportunity!