Exploring the role of sleep stages in memory consolidation and cognitive function

Abstract

The biological process of sleep is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental health. There are two separate stages of sleep, which are rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. They have distinct characteristics and functions that contribute to memory consolidation or cognitive function. The role of each sleep stage in memory consolidation and cognitive function is crucial for optimizing sleep and promoting cognitive performance. This paper reviews the different sleep stages and their contribution to memory consolidation and cognitive function. The findings suggest that NREM sleep aids in transferring information from short-term to long-term memory, also plays an important role in consolidating declarative and procedural memories, and REM sleep is involved in emotional regulation and the integration of emotional information with existing memories. These conclusions highlight the significant role of sleep in memory consolidation and cognitive function.