Memory Recall Testing
Objective: Assessment of declarative memory recall performance before and after sleep to correlate with sleep spindle density during non-REM sleep
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment1
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Protocol Steps
Declarative Learning Task Training
Subjects performed extensive training on a declarative learning task
Note: This was the experimental condition compared against a nonlearning control task
View evidence from paper
“In the investigation of underlying mechanisms, mainly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and slow-wave sleep have been considered”
Control Task Performance
Subjects performed a nonlearning control task with equal visual stimulation and subjectively rated cognitive strain
Note: Control condition matched for visual stimulation and cognitive demand but without declarative learning component
View evidence from paper
“as compared with a nonlearning control task of equal visual stimulation and subjectively rated cognitive strain”
Nocturnal Sleep Recording
EEG activity was recorded during nocturnal sleep following both the learning task and control task
Note: Sleep stage 2 with sleep spindles was a primary focus of analysis
View evidence from paper
“This study in humans looks at the changes in EEG activity during nocturnal sleep after extensive training on a declarative learning task”
Memory Recall Testing
Declarative memory recall performance was assessed before and after sleep
Note: Recall performance was correlated with sleep spindle density
View evidence from paper
“Assessment of declarative memory recall performance before and after sleep to correlate with sleep spindle density”
Sleep Stage Analysis
Time spent in each sleep stage was determined from EEG recordings
Note: Analysis included REM sleep, slow-wave sleep, and stage 2 sleep
View evidence from paper
“Time spent in each sleep stage, spindle density, and EEG power spectra for 28 electrode locations were determined”
Sleep Spindle Density Measurement
Sleep spindle density was quantified from EEG recordings during sleep
Note: Spindle density was significantly higher after learning task compared to control task during first 90 minutes of sleep
View evidence from paper
“During sleep after training, the density of sleep spindles was significantly higher after the learning task as compared with the nonlearning control task. This effect was largest during the first 90 min of sleep”
EEG Power Spectra Analysis
Power spectra were analyzed across 28 electrode locations
Note: Power spectra did not differ between learning and nonlearning conditions
View evidence from paper
“Power spectra and time spent in sleep stages did not differ between learning and nonlearning conditions”