Long-duration hippocampal sharp wave ripples improve memory

Longer ripples make better memories Sharp wave ripples in the hippocampus are thought to play a role in memory formation and action planning. Fernández-Ruiz et al. used multisite electrophysiological recordings combined with optogenetic activation of hippocampal pyramidal neurons in rats performing learning tasks. Learning and correct recall in spatial memory tasks were associated with extended sharp wave ripples. Artificially prolonging these ripples improved working memory performance, whereas aborting the late part of ripples decreased performance. Science , this issue p. 1082