Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.08.085027v1?rss=1 Authors: Poskanzer, C., Denis, D., Herrick, A., Stickgold, R. Abstract: Evidence suggests that the brain preferentially consolidates memories during "offline" periods, in which an individual is not performing a task and their attention is otherwise undirected, including spans of quiet, resting wakefulness. Moreover, research has demonstrated that factors such as the initial encoding strength of information influence which memories receive the greatest benefit. Recent studies have begun to investigate these periods of post-learning quiet rest using EEG microstate analysis to observe the electrical dynamics of the brain during these stretches of memory consolidation, specifically finding an increase in the amount of the canonical microstate D during a post-encoding rest period. Here, we implement an exploratory analysis to probe the activity of EEG microstates during post-encoding sessions of quiet rest in order to scrutinize the impact of learning on microstate dynamics and to further understand the role these microstates play in the consolidation of memories. In two different studies, we examined a combined 74 subjects (55 female) as they completed a word-pair memory task designed to use repetition and presentation-time to vary the initial encoding strength of the word-pair memories. In both studies, we were able to replicate previous research in which there was a significant increase (both p's < .05) in the amount of microstate D (often associated with the dorsal attention network) during post-encoding rest. This change was accompanied, in both studies, by a significant decrease (both p's < .05) in the amount of microstate C (often associated with the default mode network). We also found preliminary evidence indicating a positive relationship between the amount of microstate D and improved memory for weakly encoded memories, which merits further exploration. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info