The Unexpected Influence of Pupils on Memory Formation

Cornell University researchers have found a significant link between pupil dynamics in mice during sleep and memory consolidation, leading to potential advancements in memory enhancement and artificial intelligence. The study demonstrates that pupil contraction during a specific substage of non-REM sleep is associated with the replay and consolidation of new memories, while pupil dilation corresponds with the reinforcement of older memories. This discovery hinges on the identification of a new micro-structure governing these sleep stages, which helps prevent "catastrophic forgetting" by separating the processes of integrating new and old knowledge.

To reach these conclusions, the researchers used brain electrodes and eye-tracking cameras on mice that were taught various tasks. Upon sleeping, they recorded the animals' neural activity and pupil changes. Findings indicate that while non-REM sleep serves as a critical period for memory consolidation, the micro-level dynamics of sleep are more complex and similar to those in humans than previously thought. As assistant professor Azahara Oliva notes, the brain operates on an "intermediate timescale" to manage the distinction between new and existing knowledge. This research, published in Nature, opens avenues for enhancing memory techniques in humans and developing more efficient artificial neural networks.

https://instegro.net/the-unexpected-influence-of-pupils-on-memory-formation/?fsp_sid=52284