Abstract #37: Closed-Loop tACS Targeting Slow-Wave Oscillations During Sleep Enhances Consolidation of Generalized Information

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep is critically important to consolidate information learned throughout the day, and is hypothesized to promote the consolidation of information from short-term stores to more schematized long-term representations (Sterpenich et al., 2014; Friedrich et al., 2014; Stickgold & Walker, 2013; Fenn et al., 2003). Slow-wave sleep (SWS) serves to consolidate declarative memories, a process previously modulated with open-loop non-invasive electrical stimulation, though not always effectively (Eggert et al., 2013; Sahlem et al., 2015). The failure to replicate could be explained by the fact that stimulation has only been performed in open loop, as opposed to closed-loop where phase and frequency of the endogenous slow-wave oscillations (SWOs) are matched for optimal timing. The current study investigated the effects of closed-loop transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) targeting SWOs during sleep on memory consolidation.