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Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice
Published on: September 22, 2023
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Performance on the mouse vibration actuating search task is compromised by sleep deprivation
Priyanka N Bushana1,2, John N Koberstein1, Theresa Nguyen1
1Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Washington State University-Spokane, Spokane, Washington.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|January 1, 2020
Summary
Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function, increasing risks in critical settings. A new Vibration Actuating Search Task (VAST) assesses this in mice using sensory feedback, revealing performance deficits after sleep loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Environmental feedback requires constant cognitive appraisal and response.
- Sleep loss negatively impacts cognitive efficiency, posing safety risks.
- Existing rodent models lack continuous multisensory feedback for goal-directed behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce the Vibration Actuating Search Task (VAST) for assessing cognitive function under sleep deprivation.
- Evaluate the VAST's ability to model human real-world scenarios involving continuous feedback.
- Determine the impact of sleep deprivation on sensorimotor integration and decision-making in mice.
Main Methods:
- Developed the VAST, an open field with vibrating floors providing navigation cues.
- Mice navigated from entrance to target points using haptic feedback from floor vibrations.
- Compared performance (task completion, time, immobility, speed) between sleep-deprived and control mice.
Main Results:
- Mice rapidly acquired the VAST over two days.
- Sleep deprivation significantly increased task failures and time to target.
- Sleep-deprived mice exhibited increased immobility and decreased speed compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- The VAST effectively assesses cognitive performance and sensorimotor integration in mice.
- Sleep deprivation compromises performance in tasks requiring continuous sensory feedback.
- The VAST is a valuable tool for studying sleep's impact on cognition and has potential applications in occupational settings and neurodegenerative disease research.
