Deep sleep maintains learning efficiency of the human brain

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15405
• Publication Date: 2017-05-22T09:03:47Z
• Authors: Sara Fattinger; Toon T. de Beukelaar; Kathy L. Ruddy; Carina Volk; Natalie C. Heyse; Joshua A. Herbst; Richard H. R. Hah...; Nicole Wenderoth; Reto Huber
• Keywords: Sleep; Motor Learning; Neurophysiology

Abstract It is hypothesized that deep sleep essential for restoring the brain’s capacity to learn efficiently, especially in regions heavily activated during day. However, causal evidence humans has been lacking due inability deprive one target area while keeping natural pattern intact. Here we introduce a novel approach focally perturb motor cortex, and investigate consequences on behavioural neurophysiological markers of neuroplasticity arising from dedicated practice. We show undergo neuroplastic changes reduced by wakefulness but restored unperturbed sleep. This restorative process markedly attenuated when slow waves are selectively perturbed demonstrating requirement maintaining sustainable learning efficiency.