Enhancing and advancing the understanding and study of dreaming and memory consolidation: reflections, challenges, theoretical clarity, and methodological considerations

Bloxham, A and Horton, CL, 2024. Enhancing and advancing the understanding and study of dreaming and memory consolidation: reflections, challenges, theoretical clarity, and methodological considerations. Consciousness and Cognition, 123: 103719. ISSN 1053-8100

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Abstract

Empirical investigations that search for a link between dreaming and sleep-dependent memory consolidation have focused on testing for an association between dreaming of what was learned, and improved memory performance for learned material. Empirical support for this is mixed, perhaps owing to the inherent challenges presented by the nature of dreams, and methodological inconsistencies. The purpose of this paper is to address critically prevalent assumptions and practices, with the aim of clarifying and enhancing research on this topic, chiefly by providing a theoretical synthesis of existing models and evidence. Also, it recommends the method of Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) as a means for investigating if dream content can be linked to specific cued activations. Other recommendations to enhance research practice and enquiry on this subject are also provided, focusing on the HOW and WHY we search for memory sources in dreams, and what purpose (if any) they might serve.

Item Type: Journal article
Publication Title: Consciousness and Cognition
Creators: Bloxham, A. and Horton, C.L.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: August 2024
Volume: 123
ISSN: 1053-8100
Identifiers:
Number
Type
10.1016/j.concog.2024.103719
DOI
1908245
Other
Rights: © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Divisions: Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by: Laura Ward
Date Added: 01 Jul 2024 15:36
Last Modified: 01 Jul 2024 15:36
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/51662

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