Role of Spindle Oscillations across Lifespan in Health and Disease

Among the most exciting open questions in neuroscience is why and how sleep benefits our cognitive functions. Although the “why” remains a controversial topic, there is increasing evidence that a partial answer to the “how” may be found in spindle oscillations (~8–16 Hz). Spindle oscillations are central in a large variety of brain functions including somatosensory development, thalamocortical sensory gating, synaptic plasticity, and memory consolidation. Although the evidence of a link between spindles and brain plasticity is compelling, most results are still based on correlations and our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms at the basis of this relationship remains elusive. The contributing articles in this issue cover essential concepts and hypothesis underlying the physiology of spindles generation and how they contribute to cognitive functions and dysfunctions across lifespan.