This study assesses how partially sleep-deprived individuals learn regularities in a predictable yet uncertain environment and evaluates the impact of their expectations on inhibitory control performance. Participants were randomly assigned to undergo either an 8-hour (well-rested, WR, n=36) or a 4-hour (sleep-restriction, SR, n=32) sleep period before performing a Go/No-Go task in which we systematically varied the proportions of Go and No-Go trials (20%-80%, 80%-20%, 50%-50%). Preliminary results showed faster reaction times with increasing "Go" probability for both groups. The WR group showed a growing Go-Probability effect over time, unlike the SR group, suggesting potential differences in the underlying learning styles (e.g., meta- learning). As for accuracy, commission errors were more frequent as the probability of “Go” increased, irrespective of the group. To delve further into the effects of sleep deprivation on learning, a Bayesian model for individual learning under uncertainty will be implemented.

Given its non-invasive nature, there is increasing interest in the use of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) across basic, translational and clinical research. Contemporaneously, tVNS can be achieved by stimulating either the auricular branch or the cervical bundle of the vagus nerve, referred to as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation(VNS) and transcutaneous cervical VNS, respectively. In order to advance the field in a systematic manner, studies using these technologies need to adequately report sufficient methodological detail to enable comparison of results between studies, replication of studies, as well as enhancing study participant safety. We systematically reviewed the existing tVNS literature to evaluate current reporting practices. Based on this review, and consensus among participating authors, we propose a set of minimal reporting items to guide future tVNS studies. The suggested items address specific technical aspects of the device and stimulation parameters. We also cover general recommendations including inclusion and exclusion criteria for participants, outcome parameters and the detailed reporting of side effects. Furthermore, we review strategies used to identify the optimal stimulation parameters for a given research setting and summarize ongoing developments in animal research with potential implications for the application of tVNS in humans. Finally, we discuss the potential of tVNS in future research as well as the associated challenges across several disciplines in research and clinical practice.