The beneficial effect of nocturnal sleep on memory consolidation is well-documented in young, healthy subjects. Especially, periods rich in slow-wave sleep (SWS) have shown a memory enhancing effect on hippocampus-dependent declarative memory. Slow oscillatory activity typically occuring during SWS has been implicated in the consolidation effect. In this study we investigate if the consolidation effect can be amplified by the application of a weak transcranial oscillatory electric current within the frequency range of SWS in humans (0,7-0,8 Hz) during nocturnal SWS.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
22
oscillating direct current brain stimulation
no stimulation
Charite CCM Neurologie Berlin
Berlin, State of Berlin, Germany
Retention of declarative memories after 0.75 Hz stimulation during SWS, vs after sham stimulation during SWS
Retention (difference values between performance at retrieval after sleep minus performance at learning before sleep) between stimulation conditions (0.75 Hz during SWS, vs sham stimulation during SWS) in the declarative memory task.
Time frame: 4 weeks
1. Amount of Slow wave Sleep
1\. Amount of slow wave sleep assessed by standard polysomnographic criteria in 0,75 Hz vs SHAM stimulation during SWS.
Time frame: 4 weeks
2. sleep spindels
2\. Spindel activity during sleep indicated via several spindel parameters like number, duration, frequency of spindles; compared between 0,75 Hz and SHAM stimulation during SWS.
Time frame: 4 weeks
3. EEG-correlates
3\. Neuronal correlates (EEG-power in slow oscillation frequency bands induced by 0,75 Hz vs SHAM stimulation during SWS; EEG-correlates of encoding and retrieval of a declarative memory task).
Time frame: 4 weeks
4. further memory systems
4\. Performance in further memory systems (procedural), compared between 0,75 Hz and SHAM stimulation during SWS.
Time frame: 4 weeks
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