Tests sound stimulation during sleep in older adults with mild memory problems
Tests sound pulses timed to deep sleep in older adults with mild memory impairment.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Effects of Real vs. Soundless Acoustic Stimulation During Deep Sleep on Brain Activity, Memory, and Blood Biomarkers in Older Adults (60-85) With Mild Memory Impairment
Key facts
- Where
- Bern, SwitzerlandSee 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 60 and 85 years old?
Source: NCT06669546, who can take part
Where in Switzerland
- University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of BernBern, SwitzerlandTaking 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
- University of Bern
- Trial code
- NCT06669546
- Record updated
- 3 April 2026
- Original description
This study aims to explore a non-invasive way to improve memory and slow cognitive decline in older adults by enhancing sleep quality. Dementia, a leading cause of death worldwide, is often associated with disturbed sleep, particularly the loss of deep, slow-wave sleep (SWS). SWS is important for memory and clearing waste from the brain. Poor SWS can worsen memory loss and allow harmful waste to build up, which may increase the risk of dementia.Read full original descriptionShow less
Preventing Cognitive Decline Using Portable, Non-invasive Sleep Enhancement
This study aims to explore a non-invasive way to improve memory and slow cognitive decline in older adults by enhancing sleep quality. Dementia, a leading cause of death worldwide, is often associated with disturbed sleep, particularly the loss of deep, slow-wave sleep (SWS). SWS is important for memory and clearing waste from the brain. Poor SWS can worsen memory loss and allow harmful waste to build up, which may increase the risk of dementia.
The investigators are testing whether phase-locked auditory stimulation (PLAS) can improve SWS in people at a mild stage of cognitive impairment. PLAS uses short sounds played at specific moments to strengthen slow-wave brain activity during sleep. The investigators previous laboratory based research has shown that this can improve memory and help with clearing waste from the brain. Now, the investigators want to test this in a real-world setting, over a longer period, which is unfeasible in a laboratory setting.
In this study, 60 older adults will use home-use devices that deliver either real or sham (soundless) PLAS across two different 4-week periods. Memory will be tested using engaging "serious games." Before and after each experimental period, blood samples will be taken to measure dementia-related markers, and cognitive batteries will be performed. The investigators expect that PLAS will improve sleep, and that this will have a downstream effect on memory and brain clearance, potentially slowing the process of cognitive decline.
If successful, this could lead to the development of an affordable treatment that helps people maintain brain health and prevent dementia.
Inclusion: Written informed consent; Age between 60 and 85 years; Cognitive impairment (subjective and/or MoCA between 23-26); Native German speakers or comparably fluent; Normal or corrected-to-normal vision; Intact hearing; A close cohabitant (partner/sibling) should be present to support participants in using study materials/devices.
Exclusion: Use of medication acting on the central nervous system; Restless leg syndrome assessed by questions concerning typical symptoms; History of untreated severe neurological and psychiatric diseases; Insomnia assessed by the Regensburg Insomnia Scale (RIS; Crönlein et al., 2013); Sleep apnoea assessed by the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ; Netzer et al., 1999); Severely irregular sleep patterns assessed by the RIS and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI; Buysse et al., 1989); Symptoms of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS; Yesavage et al., 1982) ≥ 5); Alcohol or substance abuse.