Studies how brain activity during naps supports learning a motor skill
Studies brain activity during naps in adults with stroke or healthy adults.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: The Beneficial Effects of Naps on Motor Learning
Key facts
- Where
- Bethesda, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT04312126, who can take part
Where in United States
- National Institutes of Health Clinical CenterBethesda, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- Trial code
- NCT04312126
- Record updated
- 22 September 2026
- Original description
Background:Read full original descriptionShow less
Mechanisms Underlying the Beneficial Effects of Naps on Motor Learning
Background:
Memory consolidation is the process by which memories become stable, long-term representations in the brain. Consolidation of a motor skill is dependent upon sleep. Some research shows that daytime naps improve people s motor performance and memory retention. Researchers want to find out how daytime naps may contribute to learning and support consolidation of motor skill memories.
Objective:
To learn the role of memory replay during wakeful rest and sleep (naps) in retaining a newly learned skill.
Eligibility:
English-speaking adults ages 18 and older with chronic stroke, or healthy, right-handed, English-speaking adults ages 18-35 and 50-80
Design:
Participants will be screened with:
* medical history * neurological history * medicine review * medical exam * neurological exam.
Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. For this, they will lie down in a scanner. The scanner makes loud noises, so they will wear earplugs. They will fill out an MRI screening form before each MRI.
Participants will also have magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG maps brain activity. It does this by recording the magnetic fields produced by naturally occurring electrical currents in the brain. For MEG, participants will lie down in the MEG room. Their eye movements may be recorded by a video camera.
Participants will have behavior testing. They will practice typing random keys. Then they will repeatedly type a custom sequence that they see on a computer screen. Then they will take a 2-hour nap. Then they will type the same sequence again.
Participants will have no more than 4 visits at the NIH over 3 months. Visits will last 2-4 hours each.
Inclusion: Age 18-35 (Arm 1) or 50-80 (Arms 2); English speaking; Clear right-hand dominance (>74 on Edinburgh Handedness Inventory); Normal neurological examination as determined by the screening clinician; Age 18 or older; Willing and able to provide consent; Experienced a stroke 6 months ago or more that affected at least one of the upper extremities at time of stroke diagnosis; Ability to perform the study task as assessed during physical examination; English-speaking.
Exclusion: Use of sleep medications within 24 hours of Experimental Session participation; Severe or progressive neurological, psychological or medical condition as determined by the screening clinician; STROKE PATIENTS:; History of large stroke lesions in brainstem or cerebellum as determined by screening clinician; Severe or progressive neurological disorder other than stroke (e.g., Parkinson s disease or multiple sclerosis) as determined by the screening clinician; Uncontrolled heart, lung, kidney, gastrointestinal, metabolic, psychiatric, sleep, or endocrine disorders as determined by the screening clinician; HCPS affiliated NIH staff (i.e. - staff from our section); Current pregnancy; Contraindications for MRI or MEG; HCPS-affiliated NIH staff (i.e. - staff from our section); Current pregnancy; Contraindications for MRI or MEG.
HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS:.