Sleep-Dependent Learning in Aging
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how sleep affects memory changes as people age. Researchers aim to determine if changes in sleep and memory both influence how well people remember things after sleeping. Participants will either take naps, have a full night's sleep, or stay awake for the same duration to compare results. This study suits healthy sleepers without diagnosed sleep or neurological disorders, irregular sleep schedules, or excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption. As an unphased study, participants can contribute to groundbreaking research on sleep and memory without the risks of drug trials.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that you stop taking any psychotropic, recreational drugs, or sleep-altering medications, including sleep medications, cold medicines within the past week, clonidine, and sympathomimetic stimulants.
What prior data suggests that this sleep protocol is safe for participants?
Research shows that sleep, including naps and overnight rest, is generally safe for older adults. Studies have found that napping can improve attention, memory, and other cognitive skills. For instance, one study discovered that increased sleep through napping led to better mental performance.
While sleep problems like insomnia and sleep apnea are common in older adults, these issues do not directly affect the safety of sleep itself. It's important to note that poor sleep quality and very long naps might be linked to cognitive problems, but normal sleep patterns are not harmful.
Overall, evidence suggests that sleep is well-tolerated and can benefit brain function in older adults.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about exploring sleep as a treatment for sleep-dependent learning in aging because it taps into the brain's natural processes. Unlike traditional cognitive enhancers or memory aids that might rely on chemicals or supplements, sleep leverages the body's innate ability to consolidate and enhance learning through rest. This approach is non-invasive and free from the side effects often associated with pharmacological treatments. Additionally, by examining both napping and overnight sleep, researchers aim to identify the optimal sleep patterns that could enhance cognitive functions in older adults.
What evidence suggests that sleep is effective for memory changes in aging?
Research has shown that both napping and a good night's sleep can improve memory and thinking skills in older adults. In this trial, participants will either nap or have overnight sleep in the sleep condition, or stay awake for the same duration in the wake condition. Daytime naps can boost energy and reduce tiredness, enhancing focus and brain function. Studies also indicate that poor sleep quality can increase the risk of memory problems, while adequate sleep aids in forming memories. However, very long naps might not benefit older adults as much. Overall, getting enough sleep, whether through naps or a full night's rest, is crucial for maintaining strong memory and learning abilities with age.56789
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults aged 18-75 who sleep well and have no diagnosed sleep or neurodegenerative disorders. They must not work shifts, be pregnant or recently post-partum, have a history of mental health issues, head injuries, heavy alcohol use, abnormal sleep patterns like recent jet lag, or take drugs affecting sleep.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Sleep and Wake Intervals
Participants undergo sleep (nap or overnight) or stay awake for memory testing
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in memory accuracy after sleep or wake intervals
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Sleep
Trial Overview
The study aims to understand how aging affects learning after sleeping. It will compare memory changes in young and older adults following periods of overnight sleep and daytime naps versus wakefulness.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Individuals will either nap (Exps 1, 4) or have overnight sleep (Exps 2, 3, 5, 6)
Individuals will stay awake for the same amount of time as they slept in the sleep condition
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Benefits and risks of napping in older adults: A systematic ...
Based on the findings of the present review, there is minimal evidence to indicate that napping is detrimental for older adults' nighttime sleep.
Daytime Napping and Cognitive Health in Older Adults
Daytime napping may improve cognitive performance by compensating for inadequate sleep at night, countering daytime sleepiness and fatigue, and boosting energy ...
A systematic and meta-analytic review of the impact ...
Restricting sleep (3–6.5 hours) compared to normal sleep (7–11 hours) negatively affects memory formation with a small effect size.
Association of sleep quality and nap duration with cognitive ...
Poor sleep quality and long nap duration are significantly associated with high risk of cognitive frailty among the older adults in nursing homes.
Systematic review and meta-analyses on the effects of ...
Nap benefits may be affected by several factors. For example, nap-related improvements in memory may be reduced with older age [8]. Other studies suggest that ...
Sleep Facts and Statistics: What Older Adults Should Know
A study involving women age 70+ showed that getting fewer than five hours of sleep increases the risk for falls and fractures.
Sleep In Older Adults: Normative Changes, Sleep Disorders ...
Sleep disorders are common in older adults: Approximately 5% of older adults meet criteria for clinically significant insomnia disorders and 20% for sleep apnea ...
Is napping in older adults problematic or productive? The ...
This large corpus of studies has repeatedly reported positive effects of napping, including greater vigilance, attention, memory, motor ...
Effects of a Month-Long Napping Regimen in Older ...
In our study, the increase in total sleep time per 24 hours was associated with significant improvements in a number of cognitive performance measures ...
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