Recruiting
Sleep-dependent Learning in Aging
About this study
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.
- Condition
- Sleep
- Tested
- Sleep
- Sponsor
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Who can join
- Age
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
Inclusion 6
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 80 years
- Study condition: Sleep
- Age 18-80 yrs
- Healthy sleeper
- No diagnosed sleep or neurodegenerative disorder
Exclusion 20
- 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
1 site, 1 recruiting
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts, United States
Potential match only. Final eligibility is determined by the study team.