Human Learning of New Structured Information Across Time and Sleep

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · Jun 12, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how humans learn and remember new information, particularly focusing on the role of sleep in this process. The researchers want to understand how our brains pick up on patterns from different experiences and how we store this information for future use. They will use advanced imaging techniques to observe brain activity while participants learn and to see how this activity changes over time, especially during sleep. The trial aims to clarify whether sleep helps reinforce memories or if our brains independently create and store them.

To participate, individuals must be between 18 and 35 years old, have normal or corrected vision and hearing, and speak English fluently. They should not have a history of major mental or neurological disorders and must not be taking certain medications like antidepressants. Participants will undergo brain scans and may hear sounds during sleep to help activate memories. This research could provide important insights into how we learn and remember, which could benefit many areas of life, from education to mental health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Between 18 and 35 years of age (all aims)
• • Not a member of a vulnerable population (all aims)
• • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision (all aims)
• • Normal hearing (all aims)
• • Able to speak English fluently (all aims)
• • No prior history of major psychiatric or neurological disorders (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific)
• • Not currently taking any antidepressants or sedatives (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific)
• • No known neurological disorders (Aim 3; EEG-specific)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • The investigators will exclude individuals with MR contraindications such as non-removable biomedical devices or metal in or on the body (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific)
• • Claustrophobia (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific)
• • Pregnant women will also be excluded from neuroimaging, as the effects of MR on pregnancy are not fully understood (Aims 1 and 2; MRI-specific)