Improving sleep via phase-locked auditory stimulation in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment

What is this Study about?

Many older adults start to experience poorer sleep quality as they age, which can be associated with worse memory and cognition. Previous studies have shown that sleep can be improved when quiet sounds are presented at the right times during slow-wave sleep. We are interested in whether we can improve sleep and associated memory and cognitive function using these sounds in older adults. Information gathered from this study will be used to inform whether quiet sounds presented during slow-wave sleep can improve sleep, memory, and cognitive function.

What Will Happen in This Study?

Participation begins with online and phone screening to determine eligibility, which will take approx. 1-1.5 hours. This study has two options for participation (in-person and at-home). The in-person study includes five overnight visits (approx. 11 hours each) at Western University. Participants will sleep in the lab with tones played during sleep. The at-home study includes fifteen overnight sessions in their home environment (approx. 3 hours total of tasks in the evening and morning, plus overnight monitoring). Visits in both options involve sleep monitoring with electroencephalography (EEG), memory tasks, and non-invasive cerebral blood flow measures using ultrasound.

Who is Eligible to Participate in this Study?

Are 60 and older with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) You must be able to read, speak, or understand English.

 If you do not have:

1) major psychiatric or neurological disorders

2) moderate to severe depressive or anxiety symptoms

(3) sleep disorders

(4) serious medical illness

(5) known stroke or transient ischemic attack

(6) alcohol or substance abuse

(7) a history of seizures

(8) chronic use of psychoactive or hypnotic medications, or use of any medication that alters sleep

(9) significant hearing loss or hearing aid use

(10) untreated moderate or severe sleep apnea on a home sleep apnea test.

Participants with well-controlled sleep apnea will be eligible to participate provided they are able to use their CPAP machine or other treatment device throughout the study

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