Restoring access to memories “lost” as a result of sleep deprivation

This project focuses on examining how specific memory engrams can be modulated to prevent cognitive deficits associated with sleep deprivation.

Havekes and his colleague Ramirez of Boston University recently found out that sleep deprivation does not lead to memory loss, but instead limits access to information stored under suboptimal conditions. In this project, they will use and further develop optogenetic and pharmacological strategies to make memories thought-to-be-lost in the sleep-deprived brain re-accessible again.