Neural oscillations across the lifespan

On this page, we summarize our current research projects on the topic of Neural Oscillations across the lifespan We specifically investigate:

  • The relationships between sleep neurophysiology and age–related cognitive decline.

Neural Oscillations across the Lifespan

Coupling of neural oscillations in sleep, in relation to cognition, aging, and Alzheimer's disease

Summary

Sleep fulfills important adaptive functions such as maintaining good health and overall cognitive functioning. Conversely, problematic sleep is associated with poorer health and cognitive (i.e., memory) impairments. Sleep problems commonly reported among aging populations (e.g., delayed sleep onset, frequent arousals from sleep) have been associated with aberrant brain oscillation activity during sleep (e.g., reduced slow wave amplitudes, fewer sleep spindles) and with ageing-related cognitive impairments. Research examining the “cross-frequency coupling” (CFC), or phase-amplitude synchronization, of distinct brain oscillations suggests that CFC may reflect a potential mechanism through which the brain transfers information between different regions and consolidates memories. A growing theory is that age-related declines in oscillation coupling during sleep may be implicated in the pathophysiology of age-related cognitive impairments and may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This research examines associations between CFC during NREM and REM sleep and performance on a sleep-dependent, declarative memory task in healthy younger and older adults, and in older adults with mild cognitive impairments and AD. The overarching goal of this research is to better understand neurological phenomena that facilitate memory consolidation processes, and to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying relations between sleep and AD pathophysiology.

Need more info?

Please contact Samuel Gillman at concordiasleepstudy@gmail.com.
Neural Oscillations across the Lifespan

Neural Oscillations across the Lifespan

Coupling of neural oscillations in sleep, in relation to cognition, aging, and Alzheimer's disease

Summary

Sleep fulfills important adaptive functions such as maintaining good health and overall cognitive functioning. Conversely, problematic sleep is associated with poorer health and cognitive (i.e., memory) impairments. Sleep problems commonly reported among aging populations (e.g., delayed sleep onset, frequent arousals from sleep) have been associated with aberrant brain oscillation activity during sleep (e.g., reduced slow wave amplitudes, fewer sleep spindles) and with ageing-related cognitive impairments. Research examining the “cross-frequency coupling” (CFC), or phase-amplitude synchronization, of distinct brain oscillations suggests that CFC may reflect a potential mechanism through which the brain transfers information between different regions and consolidates memories. A growing theory is that age-related declines in oscillation coupling during sleep may be implicated in the pathophysiology of age-related cognitive impairments and may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This research examines associations between CFC during NREM and REM sleep and performance on a sleep-dependent, declarative memory task in healthy younger and older adults, and in older adults with mild cognitive impairments and AD. The overarching goal of this research is to better understand neurological phenomena that facilitate memory consolidation processes, and to elucidate possible mechanisms underlying relations between sleep and AD pathophysiology.

Need more info?

Please contact Samuel Gillman at concordiasleepstudy@gmail.com.