Processing in the non-dominant hand during sleep: in terms of early, middle-early and late brain responses

The aim was to investigate brain responses to non-painful tactile stimuli applied to the non-dominant hand during sleep. 21 healthy subjects participated in the study (11 female, mean age ± SD: 20.67 ± 1.91 years). A 40-channel polysomnography system and a pneumatic tactile stimulator unit were used. Stimuli were applied to the participants’ non-dominant hand. Evoked potential components of the C_Z electrode were examined in four sleep stages (N1, N2, N3, and REM). Repeated measures ANOVA was used in statistical analyses. Brain responses, categorized as early (P50, N100, and P200), mid-early (N300, P450, and N550), and late (P900 and Nlate), were detected all sleep stages. No notable variances were found in the amplitude and latency of early brain responses when analyzed across different sleep stages. Differences in both amplitude and latency were observed across different sleep stages for the N300, P450, P900, and Nlate response components. This study presents a pioneering exploration into the responses of the non-dominant hand throughout all sleep stages, encompassing eight distinct response components. This novel investigation contributes to the existing literature by shedding light on previously unexplored aspects. The observed early responses are identified as sensory, while middle to late responses align with cognitive processes within the realm of sleep research. Notably, N300, P450, P900, and Nlate components display variations across diverse sleep stages, marked by alterations in both amplitude and latency. These findings offer valuable insights into the dynamic nature of hand responses throughout the sleep continuum.