Memory reactivation underlies experience-dependent adaptive regulation of sleep

Science 2026

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Authors: Miao Yu, Junjie Wang, Zihan Zhai, Ruoyi Huang, Guofan Fan, Xiaoya Su, Yijun Niu, Haochen Zhu, J Chen, Grace Jiang, Tian Zhang, Yi Zhong
+1 more Bo Lei
DOI: 10.1126/science.aed8630
Cited by: 1
References: 93

Abstract

Recent memories are consolidated during sleep by spontaneous reactivation. However, whether and how memory reactivation affects sleep dynamics remain unclear. By tracking and modulating memory activity during sleep in mice, we revealed that negative memory reactivation promoted arousal, whereas positive memory supported sleep stability. This regulation was mediated by the reactivation of experience-specific hippocampus-amygdala engram circuits during sleep. In chronic stress models, negative memory reactivation promoted sleep disturbance, and targeted suppression of memory reactivation restored normal sleep. Our findings establish a memory-dependent sleep regulation in which memory reactivation engages downstream circuits responsive to specific memory content.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Sleep and Wakefulness Research Sleep and related disorders Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Publication details

Journal / source
Science
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Volume
392
Issue
6802
Pages
eaed8630–eaed8630
Publication date
4 June 2026
Language
EN