Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Data Acquisition and Analysis In Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry In Mice
Published on: May 10, 2019
A postsleep decline in auditory evoked potential amplitude reflects sleep homeostasis
Brad K Hulse1, Eric C Landsness, Simone Sarasso
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53719, USA.
Objective:
It has been hypothesized that slow wave activity, a well established measure of sleep homeostasis that increases after waking and decreases after sleep, may reflect changes in cortical synaptic strength. If so, the amplitude of sensory evoked responses should also vary as a function of time awake and asleep in a way that reflects sleep homeostasis.
Methods:
Using 256-channel, high-density electroencephalography (EEG) in 12 subjects, auditory evoked potentials (AEP) and spontaneous waking data were collected during wakefulness before and after sleep.
Results:
The amplitudes of the N1 and P2 waves of the AEP were reduced after a night of sleep. In addition, the decline in N1 amplitude correlated with low-frequency EEG power during non-rapid eye movement sleep and spontaneous wakefulness, both homeostatically regulated measures of sleep need.
Conclusions:
The decline in AEP amplitude after a night of sleep may reflect a homeostatic reduction in synaptic strength.
Significance:
These findings provide further evidence for a connection between synaptic plasticity and sleep homeostasis.
Related Concept Videos
Resting Potential Decay
At rest, the K+ is the main ion that moves across the membrane through...
Resting Potential Decay
At rest, the K+ is the main ion that moves across the membrane through...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Stages of Sleep
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:

