Sleep wake profile and EEG spectral power in young or old senescence accelerated mice

Changes occurring with age in cortical EEG and sleep-wake states architecture were examined in senescence accelerated prone (SAMP8) or senescence resistant (SAMR1) mice (age: 2 and 12 months) under baseline conditions or after a 4 h sleep deprivation (SD). In baseline conditions, an increase in slow wave sleep (SWS) amount (21–24%) occurs at the expense of the wakefulness (W) in old SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice versus young animals. In these conditions, SWS latency is reduced (67–72%). Moreover, in SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice, aging deteriorates paradoxical sleep (PS) architecture with more pronounced changes in SAMP8 (amount: −63%; episode duration: −44%; latency: +286%; circadian component loss; and EEG theta (θ) peak frequency (TPF): −1 Hz). During the 4 h recovery subsequent to a 4 h sleep deprivation, old SAMP8 mice exhibit an enhanced sensitivity resulting in SWS (+62%) and PS (+120%) rebounds, a characteristic of this inbred strain. Results obtained are discussed in line with the age-related learning and memory impairments existing in SAMP8 animals. In particular, the reduced cognitive performances described in old SAMP8 might be linked to the TPF deterioration during PS.