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Auditory closed-loop stimulation of EEG slow oscillations strengthens sleep and signs of its immune-supportive function

Author

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  • Luciana Besedovsky

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Hong-Viet V. Ngo

    (University of Tübingen
    University of Birmingham, Edgbaston)

  • Stoyan Dimitrov

    (University of Tübingen
    German Center for Diabetes Research
    Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen)

  • Christoph Gassenmaier

    (University of Tübingen)

  • Rainer Lehmann

    (German Center for Diabetes Research
    Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
    University of Tübingen)

  • Jan Born

    (University of Tübingen
    German Center for Diabetes Research
    Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen
    University of Tübingen)

Abstract

Sleep is essential for health. Slow wave sleep (SWS), the deepest sleep stage hallmarked by electroencephalographic slow oscillations (SOs), appears of particular relevance here. SWS is associated with a unique endocrine milieu comprising minimum cortisol and high aldosterone, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin levels, thereby presumably fostering efficient adaptive immune responses. Yet, whether SWS causes these changes is unclear. Here we enhance SOs in men by auditory closed-loop stimulation, i.e., by delivering tones in synchrony with endogenous SOs. Stimulation intensifies the hormonal milieu characterizing SWS (mainly by further reducing cortisol and increasing aldosterone levels) and reduces T and B cell counts, likely reflecting a redistribution of these cells to lymphoid tissues. GH remains unchanged. In conclusion, closed-loop stimulation of SOs is an easy-to-use tool for probing SWS functions, and might also bear the potential to ameliorate conditions like depression and aging, where disturbed sleep coalesces with specific hormonal and immunological dysregulations.

Suggested Citation

  • Luciana Besedovsky & Hong-Viet V. Ngo & Stoyan Dimitrov & Christoph Gassenmaier & Rainer Lehmann & Jan Born, 2017. "Auditory closed-loop stimulation of EEG slow oscillations strengthens sleep and signs of its immune-supportive function," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-02170-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02170-3
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