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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Dual-System Memory Consolidation for Lifelong Learning in Language Models: Combining Direct Weight Editing with Sleep-Wake Training

Authors: Baranov, Vladimir;

Dual-System Memory Consolidation for Lifelong Learning in Language Models: Combining Direct Weight Editing with Sleep-Wake Training

Abstract

We introduce a dual-system memory architecture for language models inspired by Complementary Learning Systems (CLS) theory. MEMIT (Mass-Editing Memory in Transformers) serves as fast hippocampal encoding, injecting facts directly into MLP weights during wake. LoRA fine-tuning serves as slow neocortical consolidation during sleep. We develop covariance-regularized MEMIT with cross-edit null-space constraints that prevent new edits from overwriting previous ones, and validate the dual system across 3B, 8B, and 70B parameter models. Key ablations show: (1) the dual system outperforms either component alone, (2) null-space constraints achieve perfect retention across sequential edits, and (3) the Woodbury identity enables efficient covariance regularization in N x N space rather than d x d.

Part of the Sleeping LLM research series on sleep-wake memory consolidation for lifelong learning in language models.

Keywords

language models, null-space constraints, dual-system memory, lifelong learning, complementary learning systems, knowledge editing, MEMIT

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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