Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2025
10:56
Quantifying Infra-slow Dynamics of Spectral Power and Heart Rate in Sleeping Mice
Published on: August 2, 2017
10.0K
Respiration modulates sleep oscillations and memory reactivation in humans
Thomas Schreiner1, Marit Petzka2,3, Tobias Staudigl4
1Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Germany. Thomas.Schreiner@psy.lmu.de.
Nature Communications
|December 18, 2023
Summary
Respiration influences sleep brain rhythms and memory consolidation. Breathing patterns synchronize with slow oscillations and spindles, enhancing memory reactivation during sleep.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Sleep's role in memory consolidation is linked to specific brain oscillations like slow oscillations and spindles.
- The influence of a potential pacemaker, such as respiration, on these sleep rhythms and memory processes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between respiration, sleep oscillations (slow oscillations and spindles), and memory reactivation during sleep in humans.
- To determine if breathing patterns modulate the emergence and interplay of sleep-related brain rhythms.
Main Methods:
- Re-analysis of existing data from 20 participants who underwent associative memory tasks before napping.
- Simultaneous recording of scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and respiration during sleep.
- Analysis of the coupling between respiratory phases and sleep oscillation characteristics.
Main Results:
- Respiration significantly modulates the emergence of sleep oscillations, including slow oscillations and spindles.
- The interplay between slow oscillations and spindles (complexes) increases during inhalation peaks.
- The strength of the coupling between respiration and slow-oscillation_spindle complexes correlates with the degree of memory reactivation during sleep.
Conclusions:
- Respiration acts as a modulator of key sleep oscillations involved in memory consolidation.
- Brain-body interactions, specifically the influence of breathing on sleep rhythms, play a crucial role in human memory consolidation.
- Findings highlight a novel link between respiratory patterns and effective memory processing during sleep.
More Related Videos
08:20Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
12.0K
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
5.4K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
1.4K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.4K
01:11Understanding Sleep
229
Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
229
01:22Stages of Sleep
198
Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
198
01:23Physiological Control of Respiration
2.1K
Introduction
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
Breathing, a seemingly passive process, is regulated by the respiratory center in the brainstem. This center coordinates the involuntary control of respirations, which means it occurs without conscious effort, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted pattern.
Regulation of Ventilation
The body maintains ventilation by monitoring levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in the arterial blood. Among these factors, the level of CO2 plays a crucial...
2.1K
01:17Other Factors Affecting Respiration Centers
858
Breathing is primarily an involuntary activity regulated by the brainstem respiratory centers. However, it can also be consciously controlled, allowing us to hold our breath or take deeper breaths when needed. This voluntary control is facilitated by the cerebral motor cortex, which bypasses the medullary centers to stimulate the respiratory muscles directly.
However, the ability to hold one's breath voluntarily is not limitless. When the CO2 concentration in the blood reaches a critical...
However, the ability to hold one's breath voluntarily is not limitless. When the CO2 concentration in the blood reaches a critical...
858
01:18Neural Control of Respiration
2.5K
The neural regulation of respiration is a meticulously coordinated process primarily controlled by the respiratory centers located within the brainstem. These centers, composed of specialized neurons, transmit nerve impulses that control the contraction and relaxation of our respiratory muscles.
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...
Respiratory Centers in the Brainstem
Two primary areas comprise the respiratory center: the medullary respiratory center in the medulla oblongata and the pontine respiratory group in the pons. The...
2.5K