Researchers at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) have uncovered how perceptual memories linked to positive emotions, such as joy or happiness, are strengthened during sleep. The study, published in Neuron, could help scientists understand the neurological basis for overcoming conditions like drug or sexual addiction.

Why do emotional events, whether positive or negative, create strong, long-lasting memories of external information such as music, smells and textures received at the events?

We know that sleep is essential for memory consolidation, the process that turns new events into memories, but do not know how it plays its role in memory enhancement.