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Targeted Memory Reactivation
  • Human
  • Grade 9+

Study While You Sleep – Targeted Memory Reactivation

Ever wondered if you could boost your memory simply by sleeping? This experiment explores how subtle auditory cues during deep sleep can strengthen your memories. Using Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR), you'll learn how brain waves and behavior come together during sleep to enhance memory performance.

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About the Experiment

What Will You Learn?

What Will You Learn?

  • How auditory cues during deep sleep can enhance memory recall.
  • The relationship between EEG oscillations during slow-wave sleep and memory consolidation.
  • How to design experiments linking brain activity to behavioral memory performance.
Background

Background

During slow-wave sleep, your brain enters a powerful phase for memory consolidation, marked by low-frequency EEG delta waves. Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) plays previously learned sounds during these stages, subtly enhancing memory for associated items. In this experiment, you'll learn image locations paired with sounds and test how cueing during a nap affects recall. BYB’s study used a nap of about 90 minutes; cueing may also work during a full night’s sleep, but the study did not test that.

Procedure

  1. Preparation:

    Preparation:

    • Install the Backyard Brains TMR app (https://apps.apple.com/mt/app/tmr-memory-test/id1467896935) on an iPad. This app asks you to learn where each image sits on a grid; every image plays its own sound effect, which later becomes the sleep cue.
  2. Memory Encoding Phase (Pre-Nap):

    Memory Encoding Phase (Pre-Nap):

    Follow on screen instructions in the app to have your subject:

    1. Study where each image sits on the grid (each one plays its own sound) until memorized.
    2. Play the matching game to reinforce learning and memory.
    3. After a few practice rounds, your subject will perform a final "pre-nap" game. This will be used to measure how much they remember after the nap.
  3. Sleep & Cue Presentation:

    Sleep & Cue Presentation:

    1. Record EEG during a 90-minute nap session and wait for Alpha Waves. Electrodes can be placed comfortably on the head. You will see the alpha waves from almost anywhere (they are big).
    2. Once detected, play auditory cues at low volume during slow-wave sleep without waking the subject. Note: Only 50% of the sounds from the game are played (we call these cued-sounds), while the other 50% are not (uncued-sounds). This allows us to see if the sounds help memory.

    Wake the subject after 90 minutes if they don’t wake up on their own. Have them do a post-nap test to see what they remember!

Results & Analysis

Results & Analysis

Compare how accurately you recalled the grid locations of the cued images (whose sounds played during your nap) and the non-cued images. Analyze whether auditory cues during sleep improved recall accuracy or response time. Explore how EEG slow-wave timing aligns with cue presentation and memory enhancement.