Cueing memory reactivation during NREM sleep engenders long-term plasticity in both brain and behaviour

Abstract

Abstract Memory reactivation during Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep is important for memory consolidation but it remains unclear exactly how such activity promotes the development of a stable memory representation. We used Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) in combination with longitudinal structural and functional MRI to track the impact of reactivating memories in one night of sleep over the next 20 days. Our exploratory analysis showed that such cued reactivation leads to increased precuneus activation 24 h post-TMR. Furthermore, the behavioural impact of cueing, which only emerged 20 days later, was predicted by both functional and structural TMR related changes in the sensorimotor cortex. These preliminary findings demonstrate that TMR leads to neuroplasticity, starting as early as 24 h after the manipulation, and evolving over the next few weeks.