Closed-Loop Stimulation Approaches and Memory Consolidation in Animals

Abstract Purpose of Review Sleep rhythms - particularly the coupling between cortical slow oscillations, thalamo-cortical spindles and hippocampal ripples - are proposed to contribute to multi-regional interactions crucial for memory consolidation. Animal studies are optimal to assess activity of deeper lying brain structures. Our systematic review, aims to assess animal studies employing closed-loop stimulation in the context of sleep-associated memory consolidation, to compare findings and methodologies, and provide suggestions for future research from a translational perspective. Recent Findings Results highlight the functional relevance of temporal coupling between sleep rhythms, but also disclose a high temporal and spatial specificity of responses, and dependence on the firing of neuromodulatory nuclei. Summary Closed-loop stimulation procedures present a means to experimentally investigate causal relationships between network activity and behavior, but also network neuroplasticity. It is suggested to investigate the possibility of substituting visual detection steps by machine learning. Furthermore, the inclusion of female subjects is encouraged.