Scientists uncover how sleep, particularly naps, enhances motor learning following traumatic brain injury (TBI), providing fresh insights into brain function and rehabilitation methods aimed at improving recovery results.
A new study conducted by scientists at the Kessler Foundation offers vital information on the impact of sleep on motor learning in people recovering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The findings illustrate how sleep, especially short naps, affects brain activity linked to the improvement of motor skills, which could help refine rehabilitation tactics.
The article titled “Neural mechanisms associated with sleep-dependent enhancement of motor learning after brain injury” was initially published in the Journal of Sleep Research on September 29, 2024. This research was overseen by Kessler Foundation’s Anthony H. Lequerica, PhD, and included contributions from Tien T. Tong, PhD, Paige Rusnock, Kai Sucich, Nancy Chiaravalloti, PhD, Ekaterina Dobryakova, PhD, Matthew R. Ebben, PhD, and Patrick Chau from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.
The study included 32 participants with TBI who were randomly divided into two groups: one allowed to sleep and the other required to stay awake after practicing a motor skill. The sleep group took a 45-minute nap, while the awake group watched a documentary. The researchers investigated how performance improved and the related neural mechanisms using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Findings revealed that those who napped showed marked improvement in motor skills compared to those who remained awake, accompanied by notable changes in brain activity indicative of sleep-related automaticity in motor tasks.
“This research emphasizes the significant role of sleep, even a brief nap, in boosting motor learning in individuals with brain injuries,” stated lead author Dr. Lequerica, who is a senior research scientist at the Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Research and the director of the Brain Injury and Behavioral Outcomes Laboratory. “Our fMRI results indicate that motor skills practiced prior to a nap become more automatic during sleep. The nap appears to reduce activation in crucial brain regions, such as the anterior cingulate and cerebellum, which may allow for easier recall of learned motor sequences.”
This process of making tasks automatic may be vital for assisting patients in regaining their functional capabilities more efficiently. The study’s outcomes suggest the potential benefits of integrating napping protocols into rehabilitation strategies to enhance the impact of motor skill development for those with brain injuries.
