Amherst

Researchers are evaluating the effects of an oral cooling spray, marketed as a dietary supplement, on symptoms related to burning mouth syndrome (BMS). This early phase 1 study focuses on changes in symptom severity, frequency, and the impact of BMS on food intake, enjoyment, and overall quality of life. The goal is to understand how the spray influences these aspects over a short period. Participants will use the oral cooling spray called "Dr.B's Elixir" three times daily for two weeks, applying five sprays each time, with the option to add up to five more sprays during each application if needed. The study is conducted remotely, allowing participants to remain at home while using the spray and completing weekly online surveys about their symptoms. Optional activities include a phone interview lasting 30 to 60 minutes after the two-week intervention and providing two saliva samples to analyze changes in the oral microbiome. Throughout the two-week period, participants will report their symptoms via online questionnaires that take about 5 to 10 minutes each week. Those providing saliva samples will mail kits before and after the intervention for analysis of microbial DNA. The primary outcome is symptom improvement measured after two weeks. The study involves no monetary compensation and may last about an hour and a half if participants complete all parts, including optional interviews.

Researchers are studying how sleep, memory, and brain development are connected in children aged 36 to 54 months who regularly take naps. They aim to understand how brain markers predict changes in sleep patterns, how memory changes with naps and overnight sleep, and how sleep structure and brain function interact during this transition. The study will follow 180 children across three waves spaced about six months apart to gather data on these relationships over time. Children will participate in three sessions during each wave, spaced 3 to 7 days apart. In the first two sessions, children will either nap or stay awake while their memory is tested using a special task. Sleep during naps will be monitored with polysomnography, and overnight sleep will also be assessed. In the third session, children will visit the university for an MRI scan to study brain structure and function. Throughout the study, children will wear activity trackers like an Actiwatch and Fitbit to monitor sleep and activity between sessions. Parents will help collect sleep data at home during overnight assessments using equipment and instructions provided by the researchers. Memory will be tested before and after naps and overnight sleep to measure changes. The study will track memory performance over nap periods lasting about 2.5 hours. Researchers will also collect brain imaging and sleep physiology data to understand the connections between brain development, sleep patterns, and memory changes. Participation will last for multiple waves over about a year or more, with careful monitoring of sleep and memory at each stage.

Researchers are investigating how age-related changes in sleep and memory affect sleep-dependent memory processing. They aim to understand whether deficits in memory changes linked to sleep are due to alterations in sleep, memory, or both. The study focuses on comparing learning and memory performance after periods of sleep and wakefulness in young and older adults. The study includes six experiments examining different aspects of memory and sleep. Participants will undergo either a mid-day nap or regular overnight sleep as part of the behavioral intervention. Experiments use neuroimaging and memory tasks such as word-pair learning, visuo-spatial learning, and motor sequence learning to assess brain activity during memory encoding and the rate of memory decay. Some experiments offer additional training or encoding opportunities to evaluate improvements in sleep-dependent memory consolidation. Participants will be involved in memory testing and imaging sessions, with assessments occurring after intervals of sleep or wakefulness lasting 2 to 12 hours. Researchers will measure changes in memory accuracy and neural engagement during encoding and recall. The study monitors sleep quality using polysomnography and evaluates cognitive function and mood with standardized tests. Total participation duration varies by experiment but includes screening, sleep monitoring, and memory assessments.

Researchers are studying how naps affect memory development in infants aged 9 to 15 months. The study measures memory by observing whether infants can imitate actions performed with toys. Sleep is tracked using a motion-detecting watch and brain activity electrodes placed on the infant's head. The study recruits infants at 9 months old and measures their sleep and memory again at 12 and 15 months. Memory tests are done before and after naps during morning or afternoon sessions. The study involves two conditions: one where naps are encouraged through soothing and rocking, and another where infants are kept awake with stimulation like reading and playing with toys. Before each testing session, infants wear a watch for four days to monitor sleep patterns. During lab visits, infants wear electrodes to record sleep brain activity while completing memory tasks before and after either napping or being kept awake. Caregivers are given instructions to maintain routines and avoid naps before afternoon sessions. The testing sessions are repeated at 9, 12, and 15 months, with some visits including both nap and wake conditions one week apart. Participants will visit the lab multiple times for testing, each visit involving memory tasks before and after naps or wakefulness, and wearing monitoring devices. Researchers collect data on memory accuracy four hours after the nap or wake period. Caregivers complete sleep diaries and behavioral questionnaires. The study carefully monitors infant development, sleep quality, and memory performance over time to understand the role of biphasic sleep in early childhood.