The Interaction Between Acoustic Waves and Neural Slow Oscillations: Exploring Sound Dimensions in Adaptive Closed-loop Auditory Stimulation during Sleep

Abstract:
Sound is a powerful medium that not only engages the waking mind but can also influence the sleeping brain. In sleep neuroscience, auditory stimulation has emerged as a promising tool for modulating brain activity during slow-wave sleep (SWS), a sleep stage associated with memory consolidation and restorative functions. By playing specific sounds and monitoring real-time feedback from the brain, we can adaptively stimulate the brain in a so-called closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS) paradigm, a method that aims to synchronize auditory input with ongoing neural activity. However, traditional CLAS paradigms often rely on repetitive, brief tones that lack ecological validity and aesthetic depth.

In this seminar, Tinke van Buijtene will introduce her PhD project, which explores the intersection of sleep neuroscience and sound design through a novel, sound-centered CLAS approach. The project uses real-time EEG feedback to dynamically modulate the amplitude of continuous sound in response to ongoing brain activity during SWS. By focusing on continuous, adaptive sounds rather than discrete tones, this study aims to create a more nuanced and engaging auditory experience for the sleeping brain. The objective is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how sound interacts with sleep slow waves. The seminar will cover an overview of sleep architecture, key neurophysiological markers during sleep, and the principles behind closed-loop auditory stimulation. Tinke will discuss her PhD project and its technical framework in light of this background.  

Bio:
Tinke van Buijtene is a PhD candidate at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, where she is developing a closed-loop auditory stimulation system to study how sound influences neural slow oscillations during deep sleep in naturalistic settings. She holds a Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Groningen and a Research Master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience from Radboud University, specializing in Neural Computation and Neurotechnology. Following her Master’s, she was part of the Donders Sleep & Memory Lab, working on several sleep-related projects. Currently, she is on a 4-month secondment at KTH, collaborating with Sandra Pauletto and Abhishek Choubey as part of the MSCA doctoral network “Lullabyte”, a European research initiative exploring the intersection of sleep, neuroscience, and sound.