"This study's findings could inspire the development and testing of pharmacological agents designed to enhance memory replay phenomena," Hasselmo said.

And i say, why wait for old age? maybe we should begin taking it (once it is out) much before...

This is a very promising discovery when you consider the implications, which can be far-reaching.

The research refers to spatial memory. (All such research looks at different kinds of memory). In general, sleep as important to consolidation of memories has been researched experimentally since 1924 (Jenkins et al, 'Oblivescence during sleep and waking'). Since then a mass of research data has led to confirmation of the role of sleep, and the role of the hippocampus, but also many other aspects of the complexity of memory, so it would be wise not to see this magazine's reporting as bringing news of yet another miracle drug to arrest aging.