Memories May Be Enhanced By Sleep, Study Shows
Sleep-Learning Still a Pipe Dream, But Scientists Intrigued By New Research By JOSEPH BROWNSTEIN ABC News Medical Unit Nov. 19, 2009 For time-starved Americans, few ideas are more appealing than that of learning while sleeping . Why simply doze for eight hours when you can be learning Spanish as well? The problem, of course, is science, which discredited the idea back in the 1950s. While tapes and CDs for prospective sleep learners are available online, studies have shown that they won't be very effective. "The research at the time said the only thing that it did was to keep you awake," explained James McGaugh, a professor of neurobiology and behavior at the University of California, Irvine. But for those who want to get something done while recharging their batteries , a new study suggests you may be able to accomplish something while asleep . "Our memory systems are still active while we're asleep. Memories can be strengthened while we're...