Top-down cortical input during NREM sleep consolidates perceptual memory

Abstract

Perceptual memory needs slow-wave sleep We know little about the mechanisms by which the brain consolidates nondeclarative (perceptual) memories. In a series of behavioral, optogenetic, and electrophysiological experiments, Miyamoto et al. show that coordinated neuronal information flow during sleep is required for perceptual memory formation. Activity spreading from the secondary motor area (brain area M2) to the primary sensory region S1 is necessary for this particular kind of memory consolidation. Disturbing this coordinated input during slow-wave sleep immediately after memory acquisition prevented mice from learning a simple texture discrimination task. Science , this issue p. 1315