Episode 7: Björn Rasch -Targeted Memory Reactivation Artwork

Sleep Science Podcast

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, and this podcast is all about understanding sleep. We know a lot about what the brain does in sleep, but we are just starting to understand why it does some of these things, and even more excitingly, how we can take full advantage of sleep and also manipulate it for our own ends. In each episode, neuroscientist Penny Lewis interviews a different sleep researcher, talking about a various aspect of sleep science. Topics will include sleep physiology and medicine, circadian rhythm, how sleep impacts on our memories and creativity, Sleep Engineering for enhanced health and cognition, and the most recent technologies to promote sleep.©SleepSciencePodcast 2021. These materials may be downloaded for personal use only. They may not be shared, distributed or reproduced in any form or for any reason without express permission

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Sleep Science Podcast

Episode 7: Björn Rasch -Targeted Memory Reactivation

November 08, 2020 • Penny Lewis • Season 1 • Episode 7

In this episode, we talk to Professor Björn Rasch about the pioneering of a process called Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR).

TMR is a tool which can be used to selectively consolidate learnt material during sleep by pairing it with sensory stimuli such as odours or sounds during learning. This process can be used to manipulate memories during sleep and improve memory consolidation. We also discuss how TMR can interfere with consolidation and consider the pros and cons of this technique as a tool for memory manipulation.

We then go on to discuss some of Björn's other work, including how sleep can amplify the positive impacts of therapy, and how this process can be used help overcome problems like arachnophobia.

If you'd like to find out more about Björn's work you can find a link to his research page and to some key studies referenced in this episode below:

https://www3.unifr.ch/psycho/en/research/biopsy/

Here are links to some of the studies mentioned in the podcast:

o Targeted Memory Reactivation
o Labile or Stable
o Auditory Feedback and Memory cueing
o Arachnophobia

Glossary of terms from the podcast

Labile = unstable or easy to change

Pattern Separation = The differentiation of similar, overlapping neuronal activity into distinct, non-overlapping groups

Generalisation = grouping of similar overlapping information to a general output

Engram = a neuronal representation for the existence of a memory

Salience = of importance

Closed Loop Auditory Stimulation (CLAS) = the method of using click sounds during sleep to enhance slow oscillations

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Episode produced by Penny Lewis and Sophie Smith