Breathing during sleep plays a crucial role in coordinating brain waves linked to memory consolidation, according to a study by Northwestern Medicine. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the first to connect breathing rhythms with hippocampal brain waves known as slow waves, spindles, and ripples in humans.

Christina Zelano, a neurology professor at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, explained that these neural oscillations synchronize in the hippocampus during sleep to strengthen memories. "We discovered that they are coordinated by breathing rhythms," Zelano said.

The study highlights how hippocampal oscillations align with specific points in the breathing cycle, underscoring the importance of breathing for effective memory consolidation. Corresponding author Andrew Sheriff noted that this process is closely timed by breathing. Sheriff emphasized the significance of these findings for individuals with sleep-disordered breathing, such as those suffering from sleep apnea, which affects memory consolidation.

Sheriff shared his personal experience of learning a new city layout while attending a conference in Reykjavik, Iceland. He attributed his improved spatial understanding upon waking to the coordinated oscillations facilitated by breathing during sleep.

The study suggests that those experiencing disrupted breathing during sleep should seek treatment due to its impact on cognitive function and potential links to conditions like stroke and Alzheimer's Disease. Sheriff noted that listening to someone's breathing can indicate their state of sleep since it changes pace during slumber.

The research team includes Guangyu Zhou, Justin Morgenthaler, Christopher Cyr, Katherina K. Hauner, Mahmoud Omidbeigi, Joshua Rosenow, Stephan Schuele, and Gregory Lane from Northwestern University. The study received funding from various grants provided by the National Institutes of Health.