About this Research Topic
The function of sleep is an enduring biological mystery. One clue to sleep function is the observation that sleep promotes brain processes that require synaptic plasticity. For example, sleep enhances memory formation in diverse animal species and is accompanied by neural events that theoretically could alter synapse number or strength. Much less, however, is known about the underlying cellular mechanisms active in sleep that govern this function and how they interact with circadian rhythms. Comparative perspectives from fruitfly, fish, birds, rodents and humans will be featured, addressing how sleep and biological clocks influence synaptic plasticity in the developing and adult brain.
Keywords: Drosophila, rodent, zebrafish, human, REM, NREM, replay, zebra finch
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