The Effects of Sleep Deprivation in Working Memory Using the N-back Task

摘要

Sleep is important for body restitution and memory consolidation. Sleep loss can lead to heart attacks, diabetes and high blood pressure. Several studies report a decline in cognitive performance after sleep deprivation, specially on working memory. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sleep deprivation in working memory using the N-back task with three load levels (O-back, 1-back and 2-back). Twelve healthy volunteers (male and female) underwent 24 hours of sleep deprivation. A decline in accuracy was observed while reaction times increased after deprivation. Decreased activation was found in post sleep deprivation mainly in the frontal lobe, Wernicke's area and in some other areas located in occipital lobe, parietal lobe and temporal lobes. We also found increased activation in the cingulate gyus, insular cortex and some other areas located in temporal lobe and parietal lobes. These results confirm the previous evidence that frontal lobes are seriously compromised after sleep deprivation.