Age-related differences in sleep-based memory consolidation: A meta-analysis. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gui, Wen-Jun; Li, Hui-Jie; Guo, Yu-Hua; Peng, Peng; Lei, Xu; Yu, Jing
• Is Part Of: Neuropsychologia. Volume 97(2017)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Aging -- Sleep-based memory consolidation -- Declarative memory -- Procedural memory -- Meta-analysis; Neuropsychology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2017.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3932

Abstract

Abstract: A period of post-learning sleep benefits memory consolidation compared with an equal-length wake interval. However, whether this sleep-based memory consolidation changes as a function of age remains controversial. Here we report a meta-analysis that investigates the age differences in the sleep-based memory consolidation in two types of memory: declarative memory and procedural memory. The meta-analysis included 22 comparisons of the performance between young adults ( N =640) and older adults ( N =529) on behavioral tasks measuring sleep-based memory consolidation. Our results showed a significant overall sleep-based beneficial effect in young adults but not in older adults. However, further analyses suggested that the age differences were mainly manifested in sleep-based declarative memory consolidation but not in procedural memory consolidation. We discussed the possible underlying mechanisms for the age-related degradation in sleep-based memory consolidation. Further research is needed to determine the crucial components for sleep-related memory consolidation in older adults such as age-related changes in neurobiological and cardiovascular functions, which may play an important role in this context and have the potential to delineate the interrelationships between age-related changes in sleep and memory. Highlights: Age-related decline was found in sleep-based memory consolidation (SBC). Older adults had impaired SBC effect on declarative memory. Older adults had relatively preserved SBC effect on procedural memory. The age-related changes of SBC are mostly derived from sleep condition. Older adults' SBC effect is moderated by their sleep efficiency.