Session Schedule

Find a specific presentation in the session by navigating to the timestamp indicated below.

0:00:00
Introduction

0:01:31
A unique role for REM sleep and the REM sleep theta dynamic in memory modification
Lucia Talamini (Netherlands)

0:26:35
Prefrontal theta oscillations exert cortical control over REM sleep-dependent emotional memory in humans
Tianqi Di (China)

0:43:35
Local interneurons governing REM functions in memory consolidation versus clearance
Gina Poe (United States)

1:05:40
Transient reactivation of small ensembles of adult-born neurons during REM sleep supports memory consolidation in mice
Masanori Sakaguchi (Japan)

1:19:00
Question and answer

Summary

While REM sleep has long since been associated with emotional memory reprocessing, its precise role herein has remained elusive. Recent studies in animals and humans, using cutting-edge approaches, have brought critical new insights in this matter. This symposium presents an integrated overview of these findings from which a mechanistic picture of REM sleep-related memory modification starts to emerge.
The first part of the symposium will regard recent data suggesting the relevance of REM sleep for memory modification in humans: Lucia Talamini (University of Amsterdam) will present novel findings showing that theta phase-locked reactivation of emotional memories during REM sleep, dampens the emotional intensity of these memories, emphasizing the critical role of both REM sleep and the REM sleep theta dynamic in emotional memory modification.
Tianqi Di (University of Hong Kong) will then discuss recent findings comparing the contributions of NREM sleep and REM sleep on fear generalization in humans. Her findings suggest that REM sleep, specifically, prevents the overgeneralization of fear memories. She will elaborate on the role of frontal theta oscillations in this process.
Next, we will dive into exciting new findings on the cellular and synaptic plasticity mechanisms underlying REM sleep memory modification. Dr. Gina Poe (UCLA) will discuss how somatodentritic decoupling in hippocampal projection neurons, regulated by hippocampal interneurons, plays a role in memory modification. Specifically, she will show how inhibiting hippocampal oriens-lacunosum moleculare interneurons disrupts somatic-dendritic decoupling and impairs memory consolidation. Her presentation will also include computational studies that illustrate how, along the time course of memory acquisition and consolidation, theta-coordinated hippocampal network processes change, from relying first on proximal, later on distal dendritic activity.
Finally, Masanori Sakaguchi will present findings linking fear memory consolidation directly to REM sleep reactivation of neuronal ensembles that include adult-born hippocampal neurons. The coordination of neuronal ensemble reactivation with theta phase appears critical for associative memory consolidation.
By synthesizing findings at the cellular, systems and behavioural level this symposium will illuminate the intricate processes by which REM sleep modifies memories, offering new perspectives on cognitive and emotional health.