Is it time to revisit the scoring of slow wave (N3) sleep?

ABSTRACT: The use of a fixed electroencephalogram (EEG) amplitude threshold of 75 µV for labeling slow waves is a subject of ongoing discussion given EEG amplitude is known to vary with age and sex. This paper investigates the impact of this amplitude threshold on age- and sex-related trends in visually annotated slow wave sleep (SWS). Automated methods for labeling SWS using data-driven thresholds and amplitude- or frequency-based inputs are developed. Age- and sex-related trends in SWS derived from visual annotation and automated labeling are then compared across a cohort of 2913 participants from the Sleep Heart Health Study. In the selected cohort, males exhibit an age-related decrease in visually annotated SWS, which is preserved when using automated labeling. In contrast, females exhibit a mil

SUBMITTER: Davidson S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12515605 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature