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Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of sleep extension on body weight and learning
Cecilie H Rasmussen1, Nadia D Neesgaard1, Malene Skriver-Bayer1
1Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Extending sleep in children with short sleep duration may improve body weight regulation and learning abilities. This randomized controlled trial investigates the causal effects of sleep extension on children's health and cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Short sleep duration in children is linked to obesity and cognitive impairments.
- Few studies have established causal relationships between sleep duration and these adverse outcomes.
- Sleep is crucial for children's overall health, cognitive development, and academic success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the causal effects of sleep extension on body weight regulation in school-aged children.
- To assess the impact of increased sleep duration on learning abilities in children experiencing insufficient sleep.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms linking sleep to weight homeostasis and cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week randomized controlled trial (More2Sleep study) involving 142 "short-sleepers" (6-12 years old).
- Participants were assigned to a sleep extension group (approx. 45 min/night extra sleep) or a control group with habitual sleep schedules.
- Co-primary outcomes included changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score and learning ability; secondary outcomes assessed metabolic, cognitive, and academic parameters.
Main Results:
- The study is currently ongoing, with data collection at baseline and 12 weeks, and a 6-month follow-up.
- Substudies will utilize metabolic and MRI assessments to explore mechanisms of sleep's influence on weight and cognition.
- Results are anticipated to provide insights into the direct impact of sleep extension on children's health.
Conclusions:
- Findings have the potential to inform future sleep recommendations for children.
- The study may guide the development of interventions to mitigate childhood obesity and enhance cognitive performance.
- Establishing causal links could lead to improved strategies for children's metabolic health and academic achievement.
Background:
Sleep is essential for children's health, cognitive development, academic performance, and overall well-being. Short sleep duration has been associated with several adverse outcomes, including an increased risk of obesity and impaired cognitive functions. Despite these associations, few studies have demonstrated causal links with these outcomes. Objective: To assess the effects of sleep extension on body weight regulation and learning ability in school-aged children with nocturnal sleep below recommendations for their age. Method: More2Sleep is a randomized, controlled, parallel trial involving 142 school-aged children (6-12 years old) who are "short-sleepers" (≤9 h/night). The children will be randomly assigned to a sleep extension group (by ∼45 min/night, achieved by going to bed 60-90 min earlier than usual; n = 71) or a control group (habitual sleep schedule; n = 71) guided by a family advisor for 12 weeks, followed by a 6-month inactive follow-up. All outcomes will be measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Selected outcomes will be reassessed at the 6-month follow-up to evaluate the sustainability of the intervention. Subgroups of children will undergo additional tests (substudy-I: metabolism and appetite; substudy-II: structural, functional, and diffusion MRI) to evaluate the mechanisms by which sleep may affect weight homeostasis and cognitive functions. Co-primary outcomes include the change in BMI z-score and learning ability from baseline to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include percent body fat, dietary energy intake, hunger and satiety, physical activity, energy expenditure, brain activity patterns, and cognitive and academic performance. Discussion: This study has broad implications as it can potentially inform future sleep recommendations and treatment strategies to reduce overweight/obesity and improve children's metabolic health and learning abilities.
Clinical Trial Registration:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06341179, identifier NCT06341179.
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