Emmett Thompson

Abstract Sleep is crucial for consolidating all forms of memory and a core mechanism underlying this process is offline replay. Current models propose that replay originates in the hippocampus and triggers reactivation across cortical and subcortical networks. However, conflicting evidence about the role of the hippocampus in offline consolidation of nondeclarative memories raises the question of whether hippocampal replay drives their consolidation.

Abstract Choice behaviour of animals is characterized by two main tendencies: taking actions that led to rewards and repeating past actions1,2. Theory suggests that these strategies may be reinforced by different types of dopaminergic teaching signals: reward prediction error to reinforce value-based associations and movement-based action prediction errors to reinforce value-free repetitive associations3,4,5,6.

Abstract Sleep is critical for consolidating all forms of memory1-3, from episodic experience to the development of motor skills4-6. A core feature of the consolidation process is offline replay of neuronal firing patterns that occur during experience7,8. This replay is thought to originate in the hippocampus and trigger the reactivation of ensembles of cortical and subcortical neurons1,3,9-18.