Researchers from the University of Surrey have made a groundbreaking discovery that could pave the way for innovative treatments for dementia. By using advanced technology, they were able to increase the frequency of brain oscillations during REM sleep, which is crucial for memory and cognition.
During REM sleep, brain activity slows down in patients with dementia, leading to reduced memory functions. The study found that sound stimulation can manipulate brain waves during this stage, potentially improving memory functions.
The non-invasive technique involves using closed-loop auditory stimulation, which targets brain oscillations during sleep in a precise way. Sounds are timed to hit brain waves at particular parts of the oscillation, increasing their frequency and promoting cognitive function.
The study involved 18 participants who were monitored overnight at the Surrey Sleep Research Centre. Their sleep was continuously monitored via electrodes placed on their scalp, and the brain oscillations were analyzed in real-time so that auditory stimuli could be administered at precise parts of the oscillations without waking them.
The results showed that the phases of ongoing alpha and theta oscillations were targeted with high accuracy during REM sleep. Alpha and theta CLAS induced phase-dependent changes in power and frequency at the target location, demonstrating that brain waves can be manipulated.
This breakthrough research offers hope for enhancing memory and cognition with minimal disruption to patients’ lives. The study’s findings have therapeutic promise and could lead to new dementia treatments.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/sleep-sound-stimulation-memory-27648/