Understanding how sleep affects learning and memory
Learning Novel Structure Across Time and Sleep
This study is trying to see how sleep helps our brains learn and remember new information by looking at brain activity while people do learning tasks.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 105 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT05910762 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates how the brain learns and consolidates new structured information over time and during sleep. Using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers will test a neural network model of the hippocampus to understand how it encodes information across different experiences. Participants will engage in tasks related to associative inference and category learning, with a focus on the role of sleep in these processes. The findings aim to clarify the mechanisms behind learning and memory consolidation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 18 to 35 with normal vision and hearing, fluent in English, and without a history of major psychiatric or neurological disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with claustrophobia, significant neurological disorders, or those currently taking antidepressants or sedatives may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of memory processes and lead to improved strategies for learning and cognitive enhancement.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results in understanding the relationship between sleep and memory, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between 18 and 35 years of age (all aims) * Not a member of a vulnerable population (all aims) * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (all aims) * Normal hearing (all aims) * Able to speak English fluently (all aims) * No prior history of major psychiatric or neurological disorders (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific) * Not currently taking any antidepressants or sedatives (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific) * No known neurological disorders (Aim 3; EEG-specific) Exclusion Criteria: * The investigators will exclude individuals with MR contraindications such as non-removable biomedical devices or metal in or on the body (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific) * Claustrophobia (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific) * Pregnant women will also be excluded from neuroimaging, as the effects of MR on pregnancy are not fully understood (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific)
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anna C Schapiro, PhD — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Anna C Schapiro, PhD
- Email: aschapir@sas.upenn.edu
- Phone: 6177974555
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.