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Recruiting NCT04312126

NCT04312126 The Beneficial Effects of Naps on Motor Learning

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT04312126
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Condition Stroke
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment 199 participants
Start Date 2021-03-04
Primary Completion 2027-08-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 80 Years
Study Type OBSERVATIONAL
Interventions
MRI systemMEG system

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

This is an observational study. You will not receive an experimental treatment; researchers will collect data based on your existing condition or standard treatment.

This trial targets 199 participants in total. It began in 2021-03-04 with a primary completion date of 2027-08-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

Background: Memory consolidation is the process by which memories become stable, long-term representations in the brain. Consolidation of a motor skill is dependent upon sleep. Some research shows that daytime naps improve people s motor performance and memory retention. Researchers want to find out how daytime naps may contribute to learning and support consolidation of motor skill memories. Objective: To learn the role of memory replay during wakeful rest and sleep (naps) in retaining a newly learned skill. Eligibility: English-speaking adults ages 18 and older with chronic stroke, or healthy, right-handed, English-speaking adults ages 18-35 and 50-80 Design: Participants will be screened with: * medical history * neurological history * medicine review * medical exam * neurological exam. Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain. For this, they will lie down in a scanner. The scanner makes loud noises, so they will wear earplugs. They will fill out an MRI screening form before each MRI. Participants will also have magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG maps brain activity. It does this by recording the magnetic fields produced by naturally occurring electrical currents in the brain. For MEG, participants will lie down in the MEG room. Their eye movements may be recorded by a video camera. Participants will have behavior testing. They will practice typing random keys. Then they will repeatedly type a custom sequence that they see on a computer screen. Then they will take a 2-hour nap. Then they will type the same sequence again. Participants will have no more than 4 visits at the NIH over 3 months. Visits will last 2-4 hours each.

Eligibility Criteria

* HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS: INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Age 18-35 (Arm 1) or 50-80 (Arms 2). * English speaking. * Clear right-hand dominance (\>74 on Edinburgh Handedness Inventory). * Normal neurological examination as determined by the screening clinician. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * HCPS affiliated NIH staff (i.e. - staff from our section). * Current pregnancy. * Contraindications for MRI or MEG. * Use of sleep medications within 24 hours of Experimental Session participation. * Severe or progressive neurological, psychological or medical condition as determined by the screening clinician. STROKE PATIENTS: INCLUSION CRITERIA: * Age 18 or older * Willing and able to provide consent * Experienced a stroke 6 months ago or more that affected at least one of the upper extremities at time of stroke diagnosis * Ability to perform the study task as assessed during physical examination * English-speaking EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * HCPS-affiliated NIH staff (i.e. - staff from our section). * Current pregnancy * History of large stroke lesions in brainstem or cerebellum as determined by screening clinician * Severe or progressive neurological disorder other than stroke (e.g., Parkinson s disease or multiple sclerosis) as determined by the screening clinician * Uncontrolled heart, lung, kidney, gastrointestinal, metabolic, psychiatric, sleep, or endocrine disorders as determined by the screening clinician * Contraindications for MRI or MEG.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Tasneem F Malik, C.R.N.P.

✉ tasneem.malik@nih.gov

📞 (301) 496-4000

Principal Investigator

Leonardo G Cohen, M.D.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT04312126 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 80 Years, studying Stroke. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT04312126 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT04312126 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at tasneem.malik@nih.gov for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT04312126 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Bethesda, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT04312126 clinical trial?

NCT04312126 is sponsored by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The principal investigator is Leonardo G Cohen, M.D. at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). The trial plans to enroll 199 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: September 2026  ·  Data Methodology