The Effect of Closed-Loop Auditory Stimulation on Memory Consolidation and Sleep Physiology in an Ecological Setting

Slow wave sleep plays a crucial role in overnight memory consolidation, with slow oscillations serving as a critical mechanism. Recent studies have identified closed-loop auditory stimulation as an effective method to enhance slow oscillatory activity during slow wave sleep, thereby facilitating memory consolidation. However, few studies have applied this technique in ecological settings, with inconsistent findings. The present study investigated the short- and long-term effects of closed-loop auditory stimulation on declarative memory performance and vigilance. Additionally, we examined potential sleep microstructural changes. A between-subjects design was employed on 34 participants who were divided into a Control group and a Stimulation group, the latter receiving one night of closed-loop auditory stimulation in a home environment. While stimulation successfully enhanced slow oscillation amplitude, no behavioural effects on memory performance or vigilance were observed. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as our limited sample size may have been insufficient to detect a potential effect of CLAS on memory.