Why do synapses get weaker during sleep?
(#3224) (J., Jan 30, 2008, 18:13:11) Question: NYT has reported on a research (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/29/science/29obslee.html) that sleep weakens the synaptic strength. At the same time, synaptic strength increases during waking. This seems to go against your own findings that you published on your website that indicate that during the day one’s ability to recall facts seems to be waning (http://www.supermemo.com/articles/sleep-research-2007.htm) Answer: There is no contradiction between the fact that synapses get strengthened during waking and the ability to recall things drops at the same time. First we need to differentiate between (1) short term increase in synaptic conductivity that is a result of learning, and (2) the ability to recall long-term memories (as they are tested during learning with SuperMemo, which was used to produce the data). Secondly, we need to look at the most likely explanation for the weakening recall during waking. The most coherent, attractive and
