Temporal coupling of rapid eye movements and cerebral activities during REM sleep

We investigated event-related potentials time locked to the onset and offset of rapid eye movements during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Nine healthy university students participated in this study. Data were collected in a sleep laboratory. Rapid eye movements during REM sleep were recorded during natural nocturnal sleep. Saccades during wakefulness were recorded during a visually triggered task. Event-related potentials were averaged, time-locked to the onset and offset of eye movements.

During REM sleep, a lambda-like response occurred over the occipital region, time-locked to the offset of rapid eye movements (similar to what occurs during wakefulness). Moreover, we found that a positive potential (P200r) occurred at about 200ms, with the maximal amplitude over the central region and time-locked to the onset of rapid eye movements during REM sleep; this potential was not observed during wakefulness.

During REM sleep, the P200r occurs with the start of rapid eye movements, and then the lambda-like response occurs after termination of the movements.

We demonstrated temporal coupling of rapid eye movements and cerebral activities during REM sleep. These activities might provide a useful basis for future investigations of brain functions during REM sleep.