Jeffrey Michael Hubbard

Abstract Sleep-wake driven changes in non-rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREM) sleep (NREMS) EEG delta (δ-)power are widely used as proxy for a sleep homeostatic process. Here, we noted frequency increases in δ-waves in sleep-deprived mice, prompting us to re-evaluate how slow-wave characteristics relate to prior sleep-wake history.

Highlights • Rhythmic mechanosensory stimulation (aka rocking) promotes sleep also in the mouse • Linear acceleration applied to the head encodes the rocking stimulus • The rocking effects on sleep are acceleration and time specific • The otolithic organs of the vestibular system mediate the rocking effects on sleep Summary Rocking has long been known to promote sleep in infants and, more recently, also in adults, increasing NREM sleep stage N2 and enhancing EEG slow waves and spindles.