Abstract
Sleep represents a crucial time window for the consolidation of memory traces. In this view, some brain rhythms play a pivotal role, first of all the sleep slow waves. In particular, the neocortical slow oscillations (SOs), in coordination with the hippocampal ripples and the thalamocortical spindles, support the long-term storage of the declarative memories. The aging brain is characterized by a disruption of this complex system with outcomes on the related cognitive functions. In recent years, the advancement of the comprehension of the sleep-dependent memory consolidation mechanisms has encouraged the development of techniques of SO enhancement during sleep to induce cognitive benefits. In this review, we focused on the studies reporting on the application of acoustic or electric stimulation procedures in order to improve sleep-dependent memory consolidation in older subjects. Although the current literature is limited and presents inconsistencies, there is promising evidence supporting the perspective to non-invasively manipulate the sleeping brain electrophysiology to improve cognition in the elderly, also shedding light on the mechanisms underlying the sleep-memory relations during healthy and pathological aging.
Highlights
In recent years, the knowledge of the physiological mechanisms underlying sleep-dependent memory consolidation has substantially progressed
After briefly addressing the state of the art of the current knowledge about the relationship between sleep and memory consolidation and its evolution during aging, we focused on those stimulation procedures finalized to boost slow oscillations (SOs) and memory consolidation during sleep in the
The presentation of auditory stimuli during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep can lead to a firing phase synchronization of wide neuronal populations, which results in an increase in SOs and slow wave activity (SWA) [32]
Summary
The knowledge of the physiological mechanisms underlying sleep-dependent memory consolidation has substantially progressed. Studying the manipulation techniques of the sleeping brain may allow us a better understanding of the actual relationship between sleep-dependent memory consolidation processes and healthy and pathological aging. After briefly addressing the state of the art of the current knowledge about the relationship between sleep and memory consolidation and its evolution during aging, we focused on those stimulation procedures finalized to boost SOs and memory consolidation during sleep in the. We described in detail the current literature on this topic, highlighting the potentiality as well as the limitations of the stimulation protocols, providing some considerations about the future directions of these fascinating stimulation approaches during sleep
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