Sleep fragmentation and working memory in healthy adults
Masato Okuda1, Akiko Noda1, Sho Mabuchi2
1Chubu University Graduate School of Life and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences - Kasugai - Aichi - Japan.
Sleep Science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|January 27, 2022
Summary
Sleep fragmentation, indicated by increased wake after sleep onset (WASO) and decreased N2 sleep, negatively impacts working memory. These sleep disruptions are linked to poorer cognitive performance in healthy adults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Sleep is crucial for cognitive functions like working memory.
- Sleep fragmentation may impair cognitive performance more than reduced sleep efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sleep fragmentation and working memory in healthy adults.
- To identify specific sleep parameters associated with working memory deficits.
Main Methods:
- Polysomnography was used to measure sleep parameters in 28 healthy adults.
- Working memory was assessed using the N-back task.
- Other cognitive functions were evaluated using the WCST and CPT-IP.
Main Results:
- Working memory performance on the 2-back task correlated significantly with sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and arousal index.
- Increased WASO and decreased N2 sleep stage were identified as significant predictors of poorer working memory.
- No significant correlations were found between sleep variables and executive function or sustained attention.
Conclusions:
- Increased WASO and reduced N2 sleep stage are associated with impaired working memory.
- Sleep fragmentation, particularly WASO, significantly affects working memory performance.
More Related Videos
10:38A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
13.7K
07:01Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
4.9K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Working Memory
469
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
469
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
1.8K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.8K
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
257
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
257
01:12Chunking
214
Chunking is a powerful cognitive technique that improves short-term memory retention by organizing information into smaller, more manageable units. The brain, limited by working memory capacity, can more easily process and store information when it is divided into "chunks" rather than presented as discrete, unrelated elements. Chunking is especially useful when dealing with large amounts of information, such as numerical sequences, words, or complex ideas.
The principle behind chunking...
The principle behind chunking...
214
01:16Interference and Decay
238
Forgetting is a complex cognitive phenomenon influenced by several factors, among which interference and decay are particularly prominent. These processes explain why individuals often struggle to retrieve specific information from memory, leading to lapses in recall that can be observed in everyday situations.
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...
Interference occurs when competing memories hinder the retrieval of particular information. It can be classified into two types: proactive and retroactive interference. Proactive...
238
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
360
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
360