To dream or not to dream? Relevant data from new neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies.
The study of sleep and dreams has enjoyed a major breakthrough with recent findings from brain imaging studies in humans. Several independent groups have shown global deactivation of the brain during non rapid eye movement sleep and a regionally selective reactivation during rapid eye movement sleep. These results are complemented by new brain lesion and electrophysiological recording data to give a detailed picture of the brain dynamics of changes in conscious state.
Hobson
J A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston 02115, USA. hobson@harvarda.harvard.edu
Pace-Schott
E F
EF
Stickgold
R
R
Kahn
D
D
D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004325:Dreams / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*