Impact of sleep deprivation on motor learning

Among the various roles of sleep, its importance in memory formation stands out, particularly in the process of consolidation. Memory can be defined as the neural representation of information, and the formation of long-term memory involves three stages: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval (Dielkmann & Born, 2010). The idea that the relationship between sleep and long-term memory involves distinctions between memory systems—for example, the declarative memory system, which includes episodic and semantic memory, and the non-declarative memory system, which includes, among others, procedural memory—reveals the involvement of different brain regions (McDonald & Cote, 2021; Brodt et al., 2023). Disruption of sleep spindles has been shown to impair consolidation, indicating a causal role in this process. In contrast, motor memory consolidation relies on cortico-striatal structures, for instance, in the formation of long-term motor memory (Klinig et al., 2019). Memory consolidation is a fundamental component of motor learning, as it enables the retention of information and its later adaptation to different contexts. This study aims to compile findings on motor learning and sleep deprivation in order to understand how they are related.