Procedural performance following sleep deprivation remains impaired despite extended practice and an afternoon nap

• DOI: 10.1038/srep36001
• Publication Date: 2016-10-26T09:06:33Z
• Authors: Irma Triasih Kurn...; James Nicholas Co...; Pearlynne L. H. C...; Michael W. L. Chee
• Keywords: Nap; Sleep loss; Sleep

Abstract The negative impact of sleep loss on procedural memory is well established, yet it remains unclear how extended practice opportunities or daytime naps can modulate the effect a night deprivation. Here, participants underwent three training and test conditions sequential finger tapping task (SFTT) separated by at least one week. In first condition they were trained in evening followed sleep. Two further took place where was total deprivation (TSD). One TSD included one-hour nap opportunity (15:00). Compared to which permitted, resulted poorer performance across 4 practices following day (10:00–19:00). deleterious single performance, neither clearly alleviated an afternoon nor multiple opportunities. Interestingly, significant gains observed all after one-week delay. Recovery subsequent nights thus appeared nullify deprivation, underscoring importance offline consolidation acquisition skill.