scholarly journals Learning Monologues at Bedtime Improves Sleep Quality in Actors and Non-Actors

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Francesca Conte ◽  
Oreste De Rosa ◽  
Benedetta Albinni ◽  
Daniele Mango ◽  
Alessia Coppola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Training Session ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Ecological Context ◽  
Mixed Design ◽  
Learning Session ◽  
Immediate Recall

Several studies show that pre-sleep learning determines changes in subsequent sleep, including improvements of sleep quality. Our aims were to confirm this finding using a more ecological task (learning a theatrical monologue) and to investigate whether the effect is modulated by expertise. Using a mixed design, we compared polysomnographic recordings of baseline sleep (BL, 9-h TIB) to those of post-training sleep (TR, with the same TIB but preceded by the training session), in one group of actors (N = 11) and one of non-actors (N = 11). In both groups, TR appears reorganized and re-compacted by the learning session, as shown, among others, by a significant decrease of WASO%, awakenings, arousals, and state transitions and by a trend towards an increased number of complete cycles and total cycle time. Concerning memory performance, the number of synonyms produced was significantly higher in the morning relative to immediate recall. No between-groups differences emerged either for sleep or memory variables. Our data confirm pre-sleep learning’s beneficial effect on sleep quality in an ecological context. While expertise appears not to influence memory-related sleep mechanisms, results on morning recall support the recent view that sleep’s role in memory processes consists in trace “transformation” for adaptive purposes, rather than rote consolidation.

Fatigue – but not mTBI history, PTSD, or sleep quality – directly contributes to reduced prospective memory performance in Iraq and Afghanistan era Veterans

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1319-1336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly K. Rau ◽  
Rebecca C. Hendrickson ◽  
Hannah C. Roggenkamp ◽  
Sarah Peterson ◽  
Brett Parmenter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Prospective Memory Performance

scholarly journals Knowledge Tracing Using the Brain

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Halpern ◽  
Shannon Tubridy ◽  
Hong Yu Wang ◽  
Camille Gasser ◽  
Pamela Joy Osborn Popp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Learning Session ◽  
Knowledge States ◽  
Knowledge Tracing ◽  
Successful Approach ◽  
Memory Acquisition ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Brain

Knowledge tracing is a popular and successful approach to modeling student learning. In this paper, we investigate whether the addition of neuroimaging observations to a knowledge tracing model enables accurate prediction of memory performance in held-out data. We propose a Hidden Markov Model of memory acquisition related to Bayesian Knowledge Tracing and show how continuous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals can be incorporated as observations related to latent knowledge states. We then show, using data collected from a simple second-language learning experiment, that fMRI data acquired during a learning session can be used to improve predictions about student memory at test. The fitted models can also potentially give new insight into the neural mechanisms that contribute to learning and memory.

scholarly journals Poor Self-Reported Sleep is Related to Regional Cortical Thinning in Aging but not Memory Decline—Results From the Lifebrain Consortium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders M Fjell ◽  
Øystein Sørensen ◽  
Inge K Amlien ◽  
David Bartrés-Faz ◽  
Andreas M Brandmaier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Brain Atlas ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Sleep Parameters

Abstract We examined whether sleep quality and quantity are associated with cortical and memory changes in cognitively healthy participants across the adult lifespan. Associations between self-reported sleep parameters (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) and longitudinal cortical change were tested using five samples from the Lifebrain consortium (n = 2205, 4363 MRIs, 18–92 years). In additional analyses, we tested coherence with cell-specific gene expression maps from the Allen Human Brain Atlas, and relations to changes in memory performance. “PSQI # 1 Subjective sleep quality” and “PSQI #5 Sleep disturbances” were related to thinning of the right lateral temporal cortex, with lower quality and more disturbances being associated with faster thinning. The association with “PSQI #5 Sleep disturbances” emerged after 60 years, especially in regions with high expression of genes related to oligodendrocytes and S1 pyramidal neurons. None of the sleep scales were related to a longitudinal change in episodic memory function, suggesting that sleep-related cortical changes were independent of cognitive decline. The relationship to cortical brain change suggests that self-reported sleep parameters are relevant in lifespan studies, but small effect sizes indicate that self-reported sleep is not a good biomarker of general cortical degeneration in healthy older adults.

scholarly journals A Feasibility Study on the Use of the Method of Loci for Improving Episodic Memory Performance in Schizophrenia and Non-clinical Subjects

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Elisa Sousa ◽  
Yacine Mahdid ◽  
Mathieu Brodeur ◽  
Martin Lepage
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Recall Performance ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Word List ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Method Of Loci ◽  
Words And Images ◽  
Memory Monitoring

We investigated the feasibility of a short intervention using the Method of Loci (MoL), a well-known visuospatial mnemonic, to improve episodic memory recall performance in schizophrenia. The MoL training protocol comprised encoding and recall of two lists of items (words and images), a training session and practice with MoL. Then, participants had the opportunity to put into practice the newly learned MoL and were instructed to encode and recall two new lists of items using. This approach was first validated with healthy individuals (N = 71). Subsequently, five individuals with schizophrenia completed the protocol. Improvement in healthy individuals was observed for the word list (Wilcoxon effect size r = 0.15). No significant memory improvement was denoted in the schizophrenia group, possibly due to participants' difficulties using the method efficiently and due to fatigue. The MoL seems to require episodic memory, working memory monitoring and executive functions, making it suboptimal for a population with impairments in all those domains. Future research should examine the use of other strategies, better suited for individuals with cognitive impairments like those found in schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Sedentary Behavior, Sleep Quality, and Subjective Memory Function in Middle-Aged Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 959-960
Author(s):  
Yen Chen ◽  
Carole Holahan ◽  
Darla Castelli
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Subjective Memory ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Significant Direct Effect

Abstract While there is evidence that prolonged sedentary behaviors (SB) are associated with poor memory performance, less is known about the effect of SB on subjective memory. Poor subjective memory could be an early symptom of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Besides SB, sleep quality has been identified as an essential component of cognitive health. Yet little is known about the effects of different types of SB on sleep quality and how such effects could, in turn, affect middle-aged adults’ subjective memory. The sample included 306 adults ranging in age from 40 to 60 (M = 44.42) from Amazon MTurk. Mediation analysis with PROCESS (Hayes, 2013) was used to examine the mediational path, controlling for demographic variables. Exploratory factor analysis categorized 10 different sedentary activities into Common Engaging SB (e.g., sitting in cars), High Engaging/Leisure SB (e.g., doing hobbies when sitting), and Less Engaging/Passive SB (e.g., watching TV). Common Engaging SB included a variety of behaviors, including transportation, reading, talking on the phone, and socializing. Common Engaging SB had a significant direct effect on sleep quality (B = 0.19, p < .001) and frequency of forgetting (B = -1.61, p < .001), and sleep quality had a significant direct effect on frequency of forgetting (B = -1.90, p < .001). Sleep quality mediated the association between Common Engaging SB and frequency of forgetting (indirect effect = -0.05, 95% bootstrap CI = -0.09, -0.02). Reducing sitting time, particularly Common Engaging SB, could be a useful strategy to improve subjective memory functioning.

scholarly journals The Potential of Invasive and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation To Improve Verbal Memory Performance in Epilepsy Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Mertens ◽  
Stefanie Gadeyne ◽  
Emma Lescrauwaet ◽  
Evelien Carrette ◽  
Alfred Meurs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
Recognition Memory ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Immediate Recall ◽  
Delayed Recognition

Abstract Introduction: It has been demonstrated that acute vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) improves word recognition memory in epilepsy patients. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has gained interest as a non-invasive alternative to improve cognition. In this prospective randomized cross-over study, we investigated the effect of both invasive VNS and taVNS on verbal memory performance in 15 drug-resistant epilepsy patients. Methods All patients conducted a word recognition memory paradigm in 3 conditions: VNS ON, VNS OFF and taVNS. For each condition, patients memorized 21 highlighted words from text paragraphs. Afterwards, the intervention was delivered for 30 s. Immediate recall and delayed recognition scores were obtained for each condition. This memory paradigm was repeated after 6 weeks of VNS therapy in 2 conditions: VNS ON and VNS OFF. Results Acute VNS and taVNS did not improve verbal memory performance. Immediate recall and delayed recognition scores were significantly improved after 6 weeks of VNS treatment irrespective of the acute intervention. Conclusion The previously described positive effects of invasive VNS on verbal memory performance could not be replicated with invasive VNS and taVNS. An improved verbal memory performance was seen after 6 weeks of VNS treatment, suggesting that longer and more repetitive stimulation of the vagal pathway is required to modulate verbal memory performance.

Sleep continuity, stability and organization in good and bad sleepers

2020 ◽  
pp. 135910532090309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Conte ◽  
Mariangela Cerasuolo ◽  
Giuseppina Fusco ◽  
Fiorenza Giganti ◽  
Iginio Inserra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Frequency Stability ◽  
State Transitions ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Quality Perception ◽  
Subjective Sleep ◽  
Sleep Continuity ◽  
Sleep Parameters ◽  
Sleep Recording ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between objective and subjective sleep quality is still debated. Here, we investigate differences in objective sleep parameters in habitual subjective good sleepers and bad sleepers with the aim of evaluating sleep continuity, stability and organization as possible determinants of subjective sleep quality. In total, 38 subjects (good sleepers, N = 18; bad sleepers, N = 20) underwent two nights of sleep recording. Traditional sleep parameters displayed no between-groups differences. Conversely, bad sleepers showed lower sleep continuity (awakenings frequency), stability (e.g. arousals and state transitions frequency) and organization (e.g. number of sleep cycles and time spent in cycles). Our findings point to the involvement of these measures in determining habitual sleep quality perception and suggest the possibility to include them in standard sleep assessments.

Executive Impairment Is Associated with Impaired Memory Performance in Working-Aged Stroke Patients

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katri E.A. Turunen ◽  
Siiri P.K. Laari ◽  
Tatu V. Kauranen ◽  
Satu Mustanoja ◽  
Turgut Tatlisumak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Memory Performance ◽  
Executive Dysfunction ◽  
General Intelligence ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Delayed Recall ◽  
Geometric Figures ◽  
Impaired Memory ◽  
Immediate Recall ◽  
List Learning ◽  
Executive Impairment

AbstractObjectives: Executive dysfunction is associated with impaired memory performance, but controversies remain about which aspects of memory are involved and how general intelligence influences these connections. We aimed to clarify these connections in stroke patients by comparing various memory measures in patients with and without executive impairment. Methods: Our consecutive cohort included patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke. Neuropsychological assessments were completed 6 months and 2 years after stroke. We classified patients as executively impaired, when at least two of five executive measures were defective at 6 months. At both 6 months and 2 years, we compared list learning of unrelated words, story recall, and recall of geometric figures in patients with and without executive impairment, while controlling for general intelligence. Results: Patients with executive impairment (n=66; 37%) performed worse in list learning (p=.001; partial η2=.058) and immediate recall of a logical passage (p=.010; partial η2=.037) 6 months after stroke compared to executively intact patients (n=113). At the end of the 2-year follow-up period, the patients who were executively impaired at 6 months (n=53; 37%) still performed worse than executively intact patients (n=92) in list learning (p<.001; partial η2=.096), and additionally in delayed recall of the list (p=.006; partial η2=.052) and immediate recall of geometric figures (p=.007; partial η2=.050). Conclusions: In our working-aged stroke patients, executive impairment was common. Executive impairment was associated with memory tasks that provided less inherent structure and required the use of active memory strategies. Clinicians should remember this role of executive dysfunction when interpreting memory performance. (JINS, 2016, 22, 1–10)

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