Differential Effects of Early and Late Nocturnal Sleep on the Consolidation of Declarative and Nondeclarative Memory

Nocturnal sleep apparently promotes the translation of labile short-term memories into more stable long-term memories. The present studies suggest that the sleep-related consolidation of "hippocampus-mediated" memories benefits primarily from "early" nocturnal sleep. A reduced activation of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors and a neocortico-hippocampal 'off-line' mode during this part of sleep may be of particular relevance for this phenomenon. In contrast, "non hippocampus-mediated" memories benefit primarily from "late" nocturnal sleep. In addition to a critical amount of REM sleep, other, yet unknown factors may contribute to the consolidation of non hippocampus-mediated memories during late nocturnal sleep.