NCT03840083 · RECRUITING
Sleep-dependent Learning in Aging
This study is exploring how sleep helps the brain consolidate memories, and whether age-related memory problems are tied to changes in sleep, changes in memory itself, or both. Researchers will compare how well young and older adults learn after sleeping overnight, napping, or staying awake. This is a behavioral study, not a drug trial — no medications are involved. It is categorized as Phase NA, meaning it is basic research, not a clinical treatment trial.
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-80 yrs * Healthy sleeper * No diagnosed sleep or neurodegenerative disorder Exclusion Criteria: 1. Past diagnosis of any sleep disorder or evidence of a sleep disorder as assessed by self-reported sleep quality assessments, a standardized diagnostic interview, and an acclimation night of polysomnography. Using acclimation-night polysomnography, participants will be excluded with an Apnea-Hypopnea Index >15; a Period-Limb Movement in Sleep index of >15/hr; sleep-onset latency > 45 min (indicative of insomnia); or sleep efficiency \< 80% (see Edinger et al., Sleep, 2004). In cases in which questions arise regarding a participants' inclusion or sleep records, a practicing neurologist board-certified in sleep medicine will review the documentation. 2. Past diagnosis neurological illness or head injury 3. Reported average sleep per night \< 5 or > 9 hrs 4. Current employment involving shift work or an inability to keep a regular sleep schedule during the week prior to testing 5. Current use of psychotropic, recreational drugs, or sleep-altering medications (sleep medications, cold medicines within the past week, clonidine, sympathomimetic stimulants) 6. Daily caffeine intake of > 4 cups (coffee, tea, colas) 7. Weekly alcohol intake of > 10 cups 8. Pregnancy or \< 12 months post-partum 9. History of bipolar disorder, mania, or current evidence of depression as measured by Beck Depression Inventory score > 25 10. Abnormal sleep (e.g., shift work, travel across >2 time zones within the past 3 months). 11. Diagnosis of any Axis I disorder, neurological illness or head injury (according to Demographic and Health History form); 12. Score indicative of cognitive dysfunction (subtest scores \< 40) 13. Beck Depression Scale score indicative of depression (> 19). Additionally, individuals will be excluded from magnetic resonance imaging studies (Exps 1, 4) for: 1. Left handed or ambidextrous 2. Claustrophobia 3. Presence of metal (thoroughly screened via questionnaire and metal detector) 4. Pregnancy
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2025-04-03