Is homeostatic sleep regulation under low sleep pressure modified by age?
OBJECTIVE
We have previously shown that healthy older volunteers react with an attenuated frontal predominance of sleep electroen-cephalogram (EEG) delta activity in response to high sleep pressure. Here, we investigated age-related changes in homeostatic sleep regulation under low sleep pressure conditions, with respect to regional EEG differences and their dynamics.


METHODS
Analysis of the sleep EEG during an 8-hour baseline night, during a 40-hour multiple nap protocol (150 minutes of wakefulness and 75 minutes of sleep) and during the following 8-hour recovery night under constant posture conditions.


METHODS
Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland


METHODS
Sixteen young (20-31 years) and 15 older (57-74 years) healthy volunteers


METHODS
N/A.


RESULTS
All-night EEG spectra revealed an increase in spindle activity (13-15.25 Hz) for both age groups, but only in the young did we find a significant decrease of delta activity (0.5-1.25 Hz) in response to low sleep pressure conditions, predominantly in occipital brain regions. However, delta activity during the first non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep episode was equally reduced in both age groups. This response lasted significantly longer in the young (across the first 2 NREM sleep episodes) than in the older participants (only the first NREM sleep episode).


CONCLUSIONS
The initial EEG delta response to low sleep pressure was similar in healthy older and young participants. Therefore, age-related sleep deteriorations cannot solely be attributed to alterations in the homeostatic sleep-regulatory system. It is, rather, the interplay of circadian and homeostatic factors of sleep regulation, which is changed with aging.
Munch
Mirjam
M
Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric University Clinics, Basel, Switzerland.
Knoblauch
Vera
V
Blatter
Katharina
K
Wirz-Justice
Anna
A
Cajochen
Christian
C
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology