Inconsistent effects of sleep deprivation on memory function.

Abstract

In this review article, we aimed to discuss the role of sleep deprivation (SD) in learning and memory processing in basic and clinical studies. There are numerous studies investigating the effect of SD on memory, while most of these studies have shown the impairment effect of SD. However, some of these studies have reported conflicting results, indicating that SD does not impair memory performance or even improves it. So far, no study has discussed or compared the conflicting results of SD on learning and memory. Thus, this important issue in the neuroscience of sleep remains unknown. The main goal of this review article is to compare the similar mechanisms between the impairment and the improvement effects of SD on learning and memory, probably leading to a scientific solution that justifies these conflicting results. We focused on the inconsistent effects of SD on some mechanisms involved in learning and memory, and tried to discuss the inconsistent effects of SD on learning and memory.