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The Beneficial Effects of Naps on Motor Learning

Recruiting
Conditions
Stroke
Interventions
Device: MRI system
Device: MEG system
Registration Number
NCT04312126
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Brief Summary

Background:

Memory consolidation is the process by which memories become stable, long-term representations in the brain. Consolidation of a motor skill is dependent upon sleep. Some research shows that daytime naps improve people s motor performance and memory retention. Researchers want to find out how daytime naps may contribute to learning and support consolidation of motor skill memories.

Objective:

To learn the role of memory replay during wakeful rest and sleep (naps) in retaining a newly learned skill.

Eligibility:

English-speaking adults ages 18 and older with chronic stroke, or healthy, right-handed, English-speaking adults ages 18-35 and 50-80

Design:

Participants will be screened with:

* medical history

* neurological history

* medicine review

* medical exam

* neurological exam.

Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. For this, they will lie down in a scanner. The scanner makes loud noises, so they will wear earplugs. They will fill out an MRI screening form before each MRI.

Participants will also have magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG maps brain activity. It does this by recording the magnetic fields produced by naturally occurring electrical currents in the brain. For MEG, participants will lie down in the MEG room. Their eye movements may be recorded by a video camera.

Participants will have behavior testing. They will practice typing random keys. Then they will repeatedly type a custom sequence that they see on a computer screen. Then they will take a 2-hour nap. Then they will type the same sequence again.

Participants will have no more than 4 visits at the NIH over 3 months. Visits will last 2-4 hours each.

Detailed Description

Study Description:

We will investigate the within-individual contribution of wakeful and sleep neural replay to motor skill consolidation in three groups: (a) young healthy subjects, (b) older healthy subjects and (c) patients with chronic stroke.

Objective:

The primary aim is to determine the relative contribution of neural replay during wakeful rest and sleep to consolidation of a newly learned skill in young and older healthy volunteers, and in chronic stroke patients with magnetoencephalography (MEG). The secondary aim is to evaluate differences in replay rates between these subject cohorts. We will also explore differences in replay rates, spatiotemporal dynamics of neural replay and sleep spindles to generate additional hypotheses and preliminary data for future studies.

Endpoints:

The primary endpoint measure is motor skill consolidation (i.e., offline change in correct sequence typing speed following a nap). The secondary endpoint measure is neural replay rate. Exploratory endpoints measures are spatial (i.e. - parcellated source space) and time-frequency maps of neural replay during wakeful rest and sleep, and changes in button-press finger movement kinematics during learning.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
199
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arm 3MEG system46 chronic (\>6 months post-stroke) stroke patients
Arm 3MRI system46 chronic (\>6 months post-stroke) stroke patients
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The primary endpoint measure is the degree to which motor skill consolidation (i.e., offline change in correct sequence typing speed) is predicted by replay rates during wakeful rest and sleep, and spindle rates during sleep (i.e. multiple r...4 years

The primary endpoint measure is the degree to which motor skill consolidation (i.e., offline change in correct sequence typing speed) is predicted by replay rates during wakeful rest and sleep, and spindle rates during sleep (i.e. multiple regression model with 3 predictors).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Exploratory endpoints measures are spatial (i.e. - parcellated source space) and time-frequency maps of neural replay during wakeful rest and sleep.4 years

Exploratory endpoints measures are spatial (i.e. - parcellated source space) and time-frequency maps of neural replay during wakeful rest and sleep.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center

🇺🇸

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

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