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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01832740

Effects of Brain Stimulation During Nocturnal Sleep on Memory Consolidation in Younger, Healthy Subjects

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Subjects

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Charite CCM Neurologie Berlin

Berlin, State of Berlin, 10117, Germany

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • healthy Subjects
  • unobtrusive, neuropsychological screening
  • age: 18-35 years
  • right handed

Exclusion criteria

  • untreated severe internal or psychiatric diseases
  • epilepsy
  • other severe neurological diseases eg., previous major stroke, brain tumour
  • contraindications to MRI

Treatment and study plan

brain stimulation

Device

oscillating direct current brain stimulation

SHAM

Device

no stimulation

Primary outcomes

  1. Retention of declarative memories after 0.75 Hz stimulation during SWS, vs after sham stimulation during SWS

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. 1. Amount of Slow wave Sleep

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    • Amount of slow wave sleep assessed by standard polysomnographic criteria in 0,75 Hz vs SHAM stimulation during SWS.

  2. 2. sleep spindels

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    • 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.

  3. 3. EEG-correlates

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    • 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).

  4. 4. further memory systems

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    • Performance in further memory systems (procedural), compared between 0,75 Hz and SHAM stimulation during SWS.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Transcranial Slow Oscillating Stimulation on Memory Consolidation During Nocturnal Slow Wave Sleep in Younger, Healthy Subjects

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Apr 16, 2013
Registry last updated
Mar 16, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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