Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences

Like sleeping? Do it for science!

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UQ researchers are seeking healthy, right-handed adults (18-35 years) to participate in a sleep study, to help us learn more about how we form new memories overnight.

Participants will be asked to complete some learning tasks in the evening, and then receive safe, non-invasive brain stimulation. You'll then sleep at home overnight while wearing a device that will record your brain activity safely and non-invasively. You will then return to the laboratory the next morning to complete some further learning tasks and return equipment.

Participants will then be asked to repeat this procedure approximately 1 week later and will also be asked to complete a daily sleep diary (questionnaire) for up to 3 weeks. You will also be asked to attend an initial screening session, approximately 1 week before your first brain stimulation session.

Non-invasive brain stimulation:

  • You will receive transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in one session, and sham stimulation in the other (order will be randomised).

Non-invasive recording of brain activity during sleep:

  • Your brain activity during sleep will be non-invasively recorded via several sensory electrodes placed on your scalp using a technique called polysomnography.

These techniques are considered safe and low-risk, and have been used extensively in health research.

Before providing consent, you will complete a safety-screening assessment, to ensure your suitability to undergo brain stimulation.

All sessions will be held on campus at the University of Queensland, St Lucia or the Institute for Social Science Research, the University of Queensland, Long Pocket Precinct.

Eligibility 

  • Right-handed
  • Aged 18 – 35 years
  • Healthy (all participants will complete a safety screening questionnaire to ensure suitability to receive non-invasive brain stimulation)
  • No shift workers or current medically-diagnosed sleep disorders

Participant benefits

Participants will recieve a $250 Coles/Myer voucher at study completion.

Register your interest

To learn more about this study or register your interest in participating, please contact Julia Wood: julia.r.wood@uq.net.au

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No. 2020001488]