From Brainwaves to Soundwaves: A Modular hdEEG Framework for Multichannel Phase-Targeted Acoustic Stimulation

Abstract

Slow waves in deep sleep support memory consolidation and metabolic waste clearance, making them a promising target for intervention. Phase-targeted acoustic stimulation (PTAS) modulates slow-wave activity by delivering brief auditory stimuli locked to specific phases of ongoing slow oscillations, but current real-time implementations typically rely on a single frontal detection electrode and therefore ignore the spatially diverse, sometimes local nature of slow waves. This work presents a modular stimulation framework that uses high-density electronecephalogram (hdEEG) as input and therefore supports phase-specific auditory stimulation based on detection electrodes in different regions. It supports multiple EEG devices and freely configurable data processing and stimulation protocols. Additionally, based on the amplitude threshold (AT) approach a multichannel compatible phase estimation method was developed and analyzed. Overall, this work lays the technical foundation for future research about nature and functionality of location dependent slow waves.