How the brain organizes and retains memories during sleep
Official title: Consolidation and interference of hippocampal spatial maps
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11073336 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a part of the brain called the hippocampus helps us remember things while we sleep, and it aims to show how sleep affects our memory and learning, which could be helpful for people wanting to improve their memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,893 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH139216-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073336 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would include individuals experiencing memory difficulties or those interested in cognitive enhancement through sleep.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in cognitive processes or those not experiencing memory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the hippocampus, a critical brain region for memory, processes and stabilizes memories during sleep. By analyzing brain activity patterns, particularly during sharp-wave ripple events, the study aims to understand how these patterns relate to past experiences and how they can help in distinguishing memories from different contexts. Advanced machine learning techniques will be employed to track and analyze these neural patterns, providing insights into the mechanisms of memory retention and interference. Patients may benefit from understanding how sleep impacts memory and learning.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for enhancing memory retention and addressing memory-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of sleep in memory consolidation, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diba, Kamran — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Diba, Kamran
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.