Sleep-dependent Learning in Aging
Recruiting · NCT03840083 · Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment) · Lead sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →Interventions studied
Sleep
What this trial is about
The specific objective of this proposed research is to understand whether deficits in sleep-dependent memory changes reflect age-related changes in sleep, memory, or both. The central hypothesis is that changes in both memory and sleep contribute to age-related changes in sleep-dependent memory processing. To this end, the investigators will investigate changes in learning following intervals of sleep (overnight and nap) and wake in young and older adults.
Who can take part
Age range
18 Years to 80 Years
Sex
All (male and female)
Healthy volunteers
Yes - healthy volunteers may be accepted
Phase
Not applicable (e.g. observational or device study)
Study type
Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment)
Inclusion criteria
- Age 18-80 yrs
- Healthy sleeper
- No diagnosed sleep or neurodegenerative disorder
Exclusion criteria
- Past diagnosis of any sleep disorder or evidence of a sleep disorder as assessed by self-reported sleep quality assessments, a standardized diagnostic interview, and an acclimation night of polysomnography. Using acclimation-night polysomnography, participants will be excluded with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index \>15; a Period-Limb Movement in Sleep index of \>15/hr; sleep-onset latency \> 45 min (indicative of insomnia); or sleep efficiency \< 80% (see Edinger et al., Sleep, 2004). In cases in which questions arise regarding a participants' inclusion or sleep records, a practicing neurologist board-certified in sleep medicine will review the documentation.
- Past diagnosis neurological illness or head injury
- Reported average sleep per night \< 5 or \> 9 hrs
- Current employment involving shift work or an inability to keep a regular sleep schedule during the week prior to testing
- Current use of psychotropic, recreational drugs, or sleep-altering medications (sleep medications, cold medicines within the past week, clonidine, sympathomimetic stimulants)
- Daily caffeine intake of \> 4 cups (coffee, tea, colas)
- Weekly alcohol intake of \> 10 cups
- Pregnancy or \< 12 months post-partum
- History of bipolar disorder, mania, or current evidence of depression as measured by Beck Depression Inventory score \> 25
- Abnormal sleep (e.g., shift work, travel across \>2 time zones within the past 3 months).
- Diagnosis of any Axis I disorder, neurological illness or head injury (according to Demographic and Health History form);
- Score indicative of cognitive dysfunction (subtest scores \< 40)
- Beck Depression Scale score indicative of depression (\> 19).
- Additionally, individuals will be excluded from magnetic resonance imaging studies (Exps 1, 4) for:
- Left handed or ambidextrous
- Claustrophobia
- Presence of metal (thoroughly screened via questionnaire and metal detector)
- Pregnancy
Where it is running
1 location listed across 1 US state.
- University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Massachusetts, United States