Consolidation of vocabulary during sleep: the rich get richer?

Emma Louise James; Mark Gareth Gaskell; Anna R. Weighall; Lisa-Marie Henderson

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.054

Consolidation of vocabulary during sleep: the rich get richer?

Emma Louise James, Mark Gareth Gaskell, Anna R. Weighall, Lisa-Marie Henderson

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Sleep plays a role in strengthening new words and integrating them with existing vocabulary knowledge, consistent with neural models of learning in which sleep supports hippocampal transfer to neocortical memory. Such models are based on adult research, yet neural maturation may mean that the mechanisms supporting word learning vary across development. Here, we propose a model in which children may capitalise on larger amounts of slow-wave sleep to support a greater demand on learning and neural reorganisation, whereas adults may benefit from a richer knowledge base to support consolidation. Such an argument is reinforced by the well-reported “Matthew effect”, whereby rich vocabulary knowledge is associated with better acquisition of new vocabulary. We present a meta-analysis that supports this association between children’s existing vocabulary knowledge and their integration of new words overnight. Whilst multiple mechanisms likely contribute to vocabulary consolidation and neural reorganisation across the lifespan, we propose that contributions of existing knowledge should be rigorously examined in developmental studies. Such research has potential to greatly enhance neural models of learning.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1-13
Number of pages	13
Journal	Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Volume	77
Early online date	6 Mar 2017
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.054
Publication status	Published - 8 Mar 2017

Bibliographical note

© 2017, Elsevier Ltd. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details

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10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.054

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© 2017, Elsevier Ltd. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details
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Cite this

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title = "Consolidation of vocabulary during sleep: the rich get richer?",

abstract = "Sleep plays a role in strengthening new words and integrating them with existing vocabulary knowledge, consistent with neural models of learning in which sleep supports hippocampal transfer to neocortical memory. Such models are based on adult research, yet neural maturation may mean that the mechanisms supporting word learning vary across development. Here, we propose a model in which children may capitalise on larger amounts of slow-wave sleep to support a greater demand on learning and neural reorganisation, whereas adults may benefit from a richer knowledge base to support consolidation. Such an argument is reinforced by the well-reported “Matthew effect”, whereby rich vocabulary knowledge is associated with better acquisition of new vocabulary. We present a meta-analysis that supports this association between children{\textquoteright}s existing vocabulary knowledge and their integration of new words overnight. Whilst multiple mechanisms likely contribute to vocabulary consolidation and neural reorganisation across the lifespan, we propose that contributions of existing knowledge should be rigorously examined in developmental studies. Such research has potential to greatly enhance neural models of learning.",

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