Oscillatory network synergy across brain regions and states orchestrating memory consolidation

Memory consolidation is a complex process that transforms short-term memories into long-term memories, relying on the dynamic synergistic effects of the global neural oscillation network. This paper reviews the specific functions of neural oscillations at different frequencies in memory consolidation and their inter-regional interaction mechanisms. Specifically, memory consolidation during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep mainly relies on the nested pattern of hippocampal sharp wave-ripples (SPW-Rs) with cortical slow oscillations (SOs) and sleep spindles, while during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and wakefulness, it more depends on the theta-gamma coupling pattern between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Both rely on the core mechanism of "oscillation-timed offline replay" to reactivate memory traces, depend on the synergistic integration of multiple brain regions, and use cross-frequency coupling as the core mode of inter-regional information transmission. The synergistic effects of these oscillations reflect the dynamic, context-dependent emergent properties of distributed neural systems, rather than a fixed hierarchical structure. Future research needs to further reveal the fine regulatory mechanisms of neural oscillations in different behavioral states and memory types, and explore therapeutic strategies for memory disorders based on neural oscillation modulation, providing a theoretical reference for brain-inspired computing and neural repair technologies.