Phase-targeted auditory stimulation enhances slow-wave activity during sleep in Huntington's disease: A pilot crossover study.

Abstract

BackgroundSleep disturbances, including fragmentation and reduced slow-wave sleep (SWS), are common in Huntington's disease (HD). SWS contributes to synaptic homeostasis, metabolic clearance, and memory consolidation. Phase-targeted auditory stimulation (PTAS) enhances slow-wave activity (SWA) in healthy individuals and Parkinson's disease, but its feasibility and physiological effects in HD remain unknown.ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and physiological effects of PTAS in individuals with HD in a home-based setting.MethodsTen participants with genetically confirmed HD were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot study conducted at home. After a test night, participants completed one sham and one verum night using a wearable sleep device. Auditory stimuli (pink-noise bursts) were delivered in alternating 6-s ON and OFF windows targeting the up-phase of slow waves during non-rapid eye movement sleep. SWA (0.5-4.5 Hz) and frequency-resolved EEG power were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.ResultsFive participants completed the protocol and were included in the analysis. Four showed higher SWA during ON compared with OFF windows during verum nights. Frequency-resolved analyses demonstrated increased delta-band power during ON windows relative to sham. No relevant differences in sleep macrostructure were observed between verum and sham nights, although interpretation was limited by the small sample size and participant heterogeneity. Completion was limited by device discomfort, external factors, and technical issues.ConclusionPTAS transiently enhances SWA during stimulation windows in some individuals with HD in an at-home setting. Larger studies are needed to identify predictors of response and determine clinical relevance.