Modification of surface negative slow potential (CNV) in the human brain after total sleep loss

Abstract

The CNV was studied under baseline, total sleep deprivation and recovery conditions in eight subjects using a 4.5 sec fixed foreperiod (S1-S2). The warning stimulus (S1) was a click; the imperative stimulus (S2) was a set of flashes. During baseline all subjects developed the CNV during the 4.5 sec foreperiod. One night of sleep loss decreased the CNV, and 2 nights of sleep loss abolished the CNV. The CNV wave was examined in three ways: (a) the univariate zero-mu t test which was applied repeatedly at various points during the 4.5 sec foreperiod; (b) the multi-variate zero-mu Hotelling T 2; (c) correlation between paired CNVs. The Hotelling T 2 showed the loss of the CNV during total sleep deprivation.