System and method for enhanced knowledge consolidation by sleep slow wave induction and sensory context re-creation

A method for enhancing knowledge consolidation in a subject during sleep with a knowledge consolidation enhancement system, the knowledge consolidation enhancement system comprising one or more slow wave sleep inducers, one or more sensory stimulators, and one or more computer processors, the one or more computer processors configured by computer readable instructions to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising a sensory stimulus module, a slow wave sleep module, a timing module, and a control module, the method comprising:

• obtaining sensory stimulus parameters with the sensory stimulus module that define a prompt sensory stimulus to be provided to the subject, the prompt sensory stimulus comprising a first type of sensory stimulus, the first type of sensory stimulus configured to recreate a learning context corresponding to a period of wakeful learning by the subject;
• controlling the one or more slow wave sleep inducers with the slow wave sleep module to induce slow wave sleep in the subject by providing a second type of sensory stimulus to the subject, the second type of sensory stimulus being different than the first type of sensory stimulus such that the second type of sensory stimulus does not recreate the learning context corresponding to the period of wakeful learning by the subject;
• determining a timing with respect to the control of the one or more slow wave sleep inducers for delivery of the prompt sensory stimulus with the timing module such that the prompt sensory stimulus will be provided to the subject during induced slow wave sleep;
• and
• controlling the one or more sensory stimulators with the control module to, responsive to the slow wave sleep being induced, provide the prompt sensory stimulus to the subject according to the obtained sensory stimulus parameters at the determined timing;
• wherein the timing for delivery of the prompt sensory stimulus is determined such that delivery of the prompt sensory stimulus begins a predetermined amount of time after the start of slow wave sleep induction.

A system for enhancing knowledge consolidation in a subject during sleep;

• the system comprising:
• means for inducing slow wave sleep in the subject;
• means for providing sensory stimuli to the subject;
• means for obtaining sensory stimulus parameters that define a prompt sensory stimulus to be provided to the subject, the prompt sensory stimulus comprising a first type of sensory stimulus, the first type of sensory stimulus configured to recreate a learning context corresponding to a period of wakeful learning by the subject;
• means for controlling the means for inducing slow wave sleep in the subject to induce slow wave sleep in the subject by providing a second type of sensory stimulus to the subject, the second type of sensory stimulus being different than the first type of sensory stimulus such that the second type of sensory stimulus does not recreate the learning context corresponding to the period of wakeful learning by the subject;
• means for determining a timing with respect to the control of the one or more slow wave sleep inducers for delivery of the prompt sensory stimulus such that the prompt sensory stimulus will be provided to the subject during induced slow wave sleep;
• means for controlling the means for providing sensory stimuli to, responsive to the slow wave sleep being induced, provide the prompt sensory stimulus to the subject according to the obtained sensory stimulus parameters at the determined timing;
• and
• means for determining the timing for delivery of the prompt sensory stimulus such that delivery of the prompt sensory stimulus begins a predetermined amount of time after the start of slow wave sleep induction.