title: Dream recall frequency and content in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate morning dream recall frequency and content in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two patients with pharmacoresistant TLE submitted to a written dream diary during five consecutive days and continuous video-electroencephalographic (video-EEG) monitoring. A matched control group of 41 healthy subjects completed the same diary at home. The number of recalled dreams (including long dreams) and nonrecalled dream mentation were collected, and the Dream Recall Rate (DRR) was calculated. Hall and Van de Castle dream content analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater than 70% of patients with TLE (37 of 52) recall their dreams, but DRR rate in these patients is lower than in controls (p ≤ 0.001). Dream recall does not appear to be influenced by the presence of neuropsychological deficits nor seizure frequency. In dreams descriptions, TLE patients (vs. controls) have a higher percentage of familiarity in settings and fewer dreams with at least one success.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Onirical activity of patients with TLE is different from that of healthy subjects. Our results support the role of mesial and neocortical temporal structures in dream experience. The selective activation of dysfunctional mesial structures may be responsible for some of the observed variability. However, dream content changes can also mirror social and psychological comorbidities of patients with epilepsy.
authors: EEG and Sleep Laboratory, Department of Neurosciences, Santa Maria University Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal. ccbentes@gmail.com
authors: Carla
authors: C
authors: Bentes
authors: João
authors: J
authors: Costa
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Peralta
authors: Joana
authors: J
authors: Pires
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Sousa
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Paiva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004325:Dreams / Q000523:psychology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D012640:Seizures / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult