Wearable Sleep Neural Modulation

Wearable devices used — A galvanic vestibular stimulation setup that simulates a feeling of movement when the user is stationary

Disturbances to sleep patterns in the age of smartphones and heavy industrialization have had a chronic impact on health, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Sleep disruptions also affect those in extreme environments, such as astronauts aboard the International Space Station. This study explores whether subtle, non-invasive electrical stimulation can influence certain very crucial aspects of sleep physiology.

One key function of deep (Non-REM) sleep, highlighted in recent research, is the clearance of waste products by cerebrospinal fluid. This process, termed glymphatics, appears to occur primarily during deep sleep, with minimal activity in other sleep stages or wakefulness.

We aim to apply multiple neurostimulation techniques and assess their effects in real time using simultaneous electroencephalography, which measures brain activity, and functional magnetic resonance imaging, which captures functional changes in the brain. Ultimately, we aim to uncover the relationship between neurostimulation and its impact on brain fluidics and sleep.

Contact: Pranav Ambhorkar