Investigating the Role of Naps in Infant Memory Development

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study examines how naps affect memory development in infants aged 9 to 15 months. Researchers will assess sleep patterns using a motion-detecting watch and brain activity electrodes while measuring memory through a deferred imitation task. Infants will be observed in both nap and wake conditions to determine the impact of sleep on memory recall. The study involves multiple visits over several months to track developmental changes in sleep and memory.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. 9 months at the time of enrollment
2. normal birthweight (5.5 to 10 lbs) and gestational length (36-41 weeks)
3. must be willing and able to return for testing in 3 and 6 months (e.g., no plans to move out of the area)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. born premature (\<36 weeks gestational age)
2. receiving services due to developmental delays
3. visual or motor disability
4. score \<85 on cognitive and language composite scales and/or \<80 on the average of the two composites of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Fourth Edition (BSID-IV) administered at the first session.
5. Infants' motor development (gross and fine motor) will also be assessed using the BSID-IV, and an adjusted cutoff of 73 will be used to exclude infants with significant motor delays (given the motoric nature of the task).
6. traveling beyond 1 time zone within 2 weeks prior to testing (phone screening)
7. fever or symptoms of respiratory illness at the time of testing (phone screening)
8. physical handicap that interferes with assessments (vision, hearing impairment; phone screening)
9. history of neurological injury such as history of seizures, brain tumor, or stroke (phone screening) Parents/guardians of potential participants will be contacted via phone and/or email, at which time the details of the study will be specified and inclusion/exclusion criteria will be reviewed.

Where it's running

• University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  Amherst, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.