Project description DEENESFRITPL Motor memory consolidation during sleep gets a helping hand Sleeping is one of the most important things we do every day and occupies about a third of our time. Getting enough sleep at the right times and with the required duration of the various sleep stages is vital to many brain functions, including the consolidation of memories. As we age, we begin to experience age-associated disruption of healthy sleep patterns. Since memory is critical not only to the recognition and recall of people, places and events but also to remembering recently learned movements, it is not surprising that the formation of robust motor memories becomes impaired as well. The EU-funded CLASSy Aging project is exploring the use of targeted memory reactivation during naps after motor learning in healthy older adults with potential relevance not only to the amelioration of normal memory degradation with aging but also to the motor rehabilitation of neurological impairments. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Research has consistently demonstrated that older adults have difficulties consolidating recently learned movements into robust motor memories. This impairment undoubtedly contributes to the movement deficits emerging with healthy aging and hinders rehabilitative strategies. As consolidation is known to be facilitated by sleep, these movement-related deficits partially result from age-associated degradations in sleep characteristics. Accordingly, the project CLASSy Aging (Closed-Loop Acoustic Stimulation during Sleep to enhance motor memory consolidation in Aging) aims to optimize sleep-related motor memory consolidation in healthy older adults. Specifically, during a post-learning nap, I will use forefront real-time electroencephalographic (EEG) analyses to reactivate memories via Targeted Memory Reactivation time-locked to neuroplasticity-related physiological events of interest (i.e. sleep spindles and slow oscillations). This project will use a novel and sophisticated approach designed to boost sleep-dependent consolidation and minimize previously observed aging-related deficits. I will unravel the neural correlates of the memory reactivation process using high-density EEG during post-learning sleep and the stimulation-enhanced neuroplasticity processes during task practice using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This project uses a comprehensive approach as the brain will be imaged at different phases of the memory formation (i.e. learning, consolidation and retest) making use of cutting-edge neuroimaging analyses (univariate and multivariate MRI analyses, sources localization of hdEEG signal) tailored to each of these phases. This ambitious, yet feasible, multimodal neuroimaging project will provide significant insights into motor memory processes. It will offer new avenues to amplify neuroplasticity, alleviate motor deficits, and increase well-being in not only healthy aging, but ultimately in those with neurological conditions. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsengineering and technologymedical engineeringdiagnostic imagingmagnetic resonance imaging Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2019 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF) Coordinator KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN Net EU contribution € 166 320,00 Address OUDE MARKT 13 3000 Leuven Belgium See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 166 320,00
