Question

A 2016 experiment by researchers at UC Irvine established a link between autonomic nervous system activity during sleep and memory consolidation. Participants in the study were given Remote Associates Test (a creative word association test) which was followed by the treatment: either a nap or quiet wake time. Following the treatment, a second Remote Associates Test. Individuals who napped showed improved performance on the second test compared to those who did not. The researchers found that heart rate variability and time spent in each sleep stage accounted for 73% of the improvement observed.

Regarding the experiment, because memory consolidation requires an active cerebral cortex, what else is occurring during the sleep stage when consolidation occurred for the subjects?

Most skeletal muscles are inhibited

Brain waves are slow

The RAS is maximally active

Blood pressure is reduced

Answer 1

An increase in Autonomic nervous system (ANS)activity during sleep promotes memory consolidation (this is that process in which information of short term memory convert into long term memory), which results in memory improvement.

ANS is responsible for controlling bodily functions includes digestive process, heartbeat, breathing.

ANS plays a crucial role in the promotion of memory consolidation during sleep because ANS has the ability to enhance memory during waking hours.

Napping may have helped the participants think more flexibly and combined prime words "new and useful" combinations.