![Test Yourself](/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3410/images/nav-title-testyourself.gif)
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What constitutes a memory? Many of us may think of a memory as something verbal—a line of haiku poetry we recited in fourth grade—or something visual—a flashback to an angry look or loving smile. But there are other types of memories we may not be conscious of at all, including procedural memories involved in learning and mastering motor skills like swinging a tennis racket. When you learn the proper upward follow-through, for instance, this know-how (which some term "muscle memory") is encoded in your neurons. And research suggests that sleep enhances such memories, that you can become a better tennis player or musician or whatever not just by practicing but also by "sleeping on" skills you've recently acquired.—Susan K. Lewis To see this intriguing phenomenon in action, try this simple test* overnight:
How did you do? Let us know on the NOVA scienceNOW discussion board. * Many thanks to Matt Walker of Harvard Medical School for suggesting this test, adapted from research he and colleagues did for the 2002 study "Practice With Sleep Makes Perfect: Sleep Dependent Motor Skill Learning." Neuron 35:205-211. Images: (fingers typing) © istockphoto.com/blackred |
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© | Created June 2007 |