Off-line processing: reciprocal interactions between declarative and procedural memories

Brown, R. M. and Robertson, E. M. (2007) Off-line processing: reciprocal interactions between declarative and procedural memories. Journal of Neuroscience, 27(39), pp. 10468-10475. (doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2799-07.2007) (PMID:17898218)

Abstract

The acquisition of declarative (i.e., facts) and procedural (i.e., skills) memories may be supported by independent systems. This same organization may exist, after memory acquisition, when memories are processed off-line during consolidation. Alternatively, memory consolidation may be supported by interactive systems. This latter interactive organization predicts interference between declarative and procedural memories. Here, we show that procedural consolidation, expressed as an off-line motor skill improvement, can be blocked by declarative learning over wake, but not over a night of sleep. The extent of the blockade on procedural consolidation was correlated to participants' declarative word recall. Similarly, in another experiment, the reciprocal relationship was found: declarative consolidation was blocked by procedural learning over wake, but not over a night of sleep. The decrease in declarative recall was correlated to participants' procedural learning. These results challenge the concept of fixed independent memory systems; instead, they suggest a dynamic relationship, modulated by when consolidation takes place, allowing at times for a reciprocal interaction between memory systems.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Professor Edwin
• Authors: Brown, R. M., and Robertson, E. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Journal of Neuroscience
• Publisher: Society for Neuroscience
• ISSN: 0270-6474
• ISSN (Online): 1529-2401
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2007 Society for Neuroscience
• First Published: First published in Journal of Neuroscience 27(39):10468-75
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher