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The microstructure of REM sleep: Why phasic and tonic?
Péter Simor1, Gwen van der Wijk2, Lino Nobili3
1Institute of Psychology, ELTE, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; UR2NF, Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit at CRCN - Center for Research in Cognition and Neurosciences and UNI - ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
Sleep Medicine Reviews
|April 8, 2020
Summary
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has distinct phasic and tonic states crucial for cognitive functions. Differentiating these REM sleep microstates offers new insights into brain mechanisms and disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is vital for physiological and cognitive functions.
- REM sleep is often viewed as a uniform state despite its complex neurophysiological features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel framework for understanding REM sleep by differentiating its phasic and tonic constituents.
- To explore the distinct neural mechanisms and functions of REM sleep microstates.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on REM sleep microstructure.
- Analysis of neurophysiological differences between phasic and tonic REM periods.
Main Results:
- Phasic and tonic REM periods represent distinct neural states with varying environmental alertness and cortical activity.
- These microstates differ in information processing capabilities.
- Phasic and tonic REM contribute uniquely to neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Conclusions:
- Differentiating REM sleep microstates provides a new perspective on its mechanisms and functions.
- Understanding REM sleep microstructure is key to addressing related health conditions.
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