Prof. Dr. Björn Rasch

 

Main Goals, Keywords

Understanding the mechanisms underlying memory formation during sleep and wakefulness in humans using brain imaging (EEG, fMRI) as well as pharmacological and genetic approaches

Group Members

1 professor, 2 PhD students, 1 technician

Keywords

Memory, sleep, reactivation, emotional memories, olfactory cueing, EEG, fMRI

Previous and Current Research

Sleep benefits memory consolidation. Current theoretical models assume that the beneficial effect of sleep on memory relies on a covert reactivation of newly acquired memories during slow wave sleep (SWS). We have previously shown that olfactory cueing during SWS reactivates hippocampus-dependent memories and improves recall performance the next day, indicating a functional role of memory reactivation for consolidation processes during sleep. Furthermore, reactivation during SWS immediately stabilizes recently acquired memories, whereas reactivation during wakefulness can have destabilizing effects. In the current research we aim at understanding the mechanisms of this brain-state dependent role of memory reactivation on memory stability. In addition we aim at extending this concept to emotional and traumatic memories and examine reactivation and reprocessing of emotional memories in the sleeping and waking brain.

Techniques and Equipment

Sleep laboratory, 128-channel high-density EEG recording system; access to a 3 Tesla MRI imaging system, fMRI-compatible EEG system; olfactometer; declarative, procedural and emotional memory paradigms.

Selected Publications

• Diekelmann, S., Büchel, C., Born, J. & Rasch, B. (2011). Labile or stable: opposing consequences for memory when reactivated during waking and sleep. Nature Neuroscience. 14(3):381-6.

• Rasch, B., Spalek, K., Buholzer, S., Luechinger, R., Boesiger, P., Papassotiropoulos, A., de Quervain, D. (2009). A genetic variation of the noradrenergic system is related to differential amygdala activation during encoding of emotional memories. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A. 106(45). 19191-6.

• Rasch, B., Büchel, C., Gais, S., & Born, J. (2007). Odor cues during slow-wave sleep prompt declarative memory consolidation. Science, 315, 1426-1429

Funding

Swiss National Science Foundation

URL

http://www.psychologie.uzh.ch/fachrichtungen/biopsy.html