Functional Interactions of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Learning and Memory

Craig Heller, PhD

Abundant evidence shows that sleep plays an important role in memory formation, and circadian rhythms time sleep. Also studies show that learning and memory are affected by circadian phase. Using two animal models of learning disability—Down Syndrome model mice and circadian arrhythmic Siberian hamsters, I will show that functional interactions between the circadian and sleep systems involve circadian control over GABAergic modulation of neural plasticity.