Naps May Boost Memory

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If you want to remember the information in this article, take a nap.

New research conducted by brain researcher Avi Karni of the University of Haifa in Israel explores the possibility that naps help lock in sometimes fleeting long-term memories. A 90-minute daytime snooze might help the most, the study finds.

"We still don't know the exact mechanism of the memory process that occurs during sleep, but the results of this research suggest the possibility that it is possible to speed up memory consolidation," Karni said. "In the future, we may be able to do it artificially."

Long-term memory refers to memories that stay with us for years, such as "what" memories — a car accident that happened yesterday — or "how to" memories, such as one's learned ability to play the drums or tear it up in a game of soccer.

Karni, who co-authored the study in a recent issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience, instructed participants to learn a complex thumb-tapping sequence, then split the study subjects into two groups: one that napped for an hour, and one that didn't. The people who took an afternoon snooze showed sizeable improvement in their performance by that evening.

"After a night's sleep the two groups were at the same level, but the group that slept in the afternoon improved much faster than the group that stayed awake," Karni said.

An additional leg of the study showed just how much faster a 90-minute nap could help lock in long-term memories.

"Daytime sleep can shorten the time 'how to' memory becomes immune to interference and forgetting," Karni said. "Instead of 6 to 8 hours, the brain consolidated the memory during the 90-minute nap."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/200801...smayboostmemory

[Aymerlu 3]

Cool! Nite nite.

[Krikit 1,166]

I'm sorry. What did you say?

[Aymerlu 3]

I'm sorry. What did you say?

Go take a nap

[Amby 490]

I love naps

[no name 1]

Who has a job that lets them nap?

[Mags 112]

I used to nap at lunchtime, leaning on my microscope, in the UK. Not very comfortable.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I seriously can't nap. By the time I fall asleep, it is usually only 10 minutes before I have to wake up again. Not worth it.

[Mags 112]

I seriously can't nap. By the time I fall asleep, it is usually only 10 minutes before I have to wake up again. Not worth it.

I remember when I was younger marvelling at how my parents would always fall asleep in their chairs on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I could never manage to even doze off. Now? I doze very easily so I reckon I must be getting old!

Edited January 10, 2008 by Mags

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Now my problem is that even if I am tired, my kid isn't, I lose.

[Mags 112]

Now my problem is that even if I am tired, my kid isn't, I lose.

I try to fit them in during school hours.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I seriously can't nap. By the time I fall asleep, it is usually only 10 minutes before I have to wake up again. Not worth it.

I remember when I was younger marvelling at how my parents would always fall asleep in their chairs on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I could never manage to even doze off. Now? I doze very easily so I reckon I must be getting old!

My parent's house was always so quiet in the afternoons, I'd need a shot of adrenaline just to stay awake.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Oh, school age. I have another two years before I can ship mine off.

[Mags 112]

Oh, school age. I have another two years before I can ship mine off.

School is a blessing in disguise for parents.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Golden member here of the "college kids who still take naps" facebook group!