NICOP - Optimizing cognitive performance by mimicking slow-wave sleep in the awake brain.
Abstract
Optimized cognitive performance is critical in the military domain. For example, lapses in trackingmultiple objects, decision makin""g, and recalling commands can dramatically reduce performance inthe field. One critically important way that the human body maintai""ns cognitive performance is bysleeping regularly, yet sleep duration and quality is often substantially compromised in militaryact""ivities. One component of sleep known as slow-wave sleep (SWS), is characterized by lowfrequency, high amplitude oscillations in br"ain activity. SWS is thought to play an important role inconsolidating the learning of events and tasks that were learnt the previo"us day. Also, SWS maintainsbrain activity within a functional range ~ when sleep is prevented, synapses become ~saturated~, andare"" unable to form effective connections between relevant brain regions. Recently, a form of noninvasivebrain stimulation (transcrania""l alternating current stimulation; tACS) has been shown tomimic SWS in the awake brain, promoting cognitive performance. Here, we p"ropose to apply tACS toprefrontal cortex to mimic SWS. This area of cortex is involved in high-level executive cognitiveprocesses." We will use a cognitive learning task, known to involve this brain region, and which issusceptible to brain stimulation. We hypoth""esize that learning of the cognitive task will be enhancedafter application of tACS. In a second study, sleep deprived individuals" will receive tACS beforelearning the cognitive task. We hypothesize that if slow oscillations help to maintain synapticconnection"s within a functional range, then learning of the cognitive task should be enhancedfollowing tACS compared with sham stimulation. T"his would be similar to a participant having abrief nap. The studies outlined in this application will investigate whether the application of slowoscillating tACS can promote cognitive performance in two ways: to boost performance of acognitive task by enhancin"g neuroplasticity, and to minimize the detrimental effects of sleepdeprivation. This could provide a novel, cheap and effective mea"ns of boosting cognitiveperformance in the military domain.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 03, 2017
- Source ID
- N629091712139
Entities
People
- Martin V Sale
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Queensland