Recovery Sleep Attenuates Impairments in Working Memory Following Total Sleep Deprivation

Abstract

Background: Considering the well-known detrimental effects of sleep deprivation (SD) on cognitive function and quality of life, sleep disturbances represent a major physical and mental health issue. Because working memory plays an important role in many complex cognitive processes, it is necessary to identify strategies that can effectively counteract the negative effects of SD on working memory. Methods: In the present study, we utilized event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the restorative effect of 8 h of recovery sleep (RS) on working memory impairments induced by 36 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD). We analyzed data from 16 healthy male participants. All participants completed a 2-back working memory task before and after 36 h of TSD and after 8 h of RS. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded during the task. Results: N2 and P3 components related to working memory exhibited low-amplitude slow-wave characteristics following 36 h of TSD. Significant decreases in the latency of the N2 component were observed after 8 h of RS. RS also induced significant increases in the amplitude of the P3 component, along with significant decreases in P3 latency. Conclusions: Eight hours of RS also attenuated decreases in working memory performance caused by 36 h of TSD. However, the effects of RS appear to be limited.