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Dreaming and Insomnia: Link between Physiological REM Parameters and Mentation Characteristics
Fee Benz1, Dieter Riemann1, Bernd Feige1
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hauptstraße 5, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Brain Sciences
|June 21, 2020
Summary
Altered sleep perception in insomnia may stem from changes in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep brain activity. Reduced delta, theta, and alpha brainwave power during REM sleep correlate with feeling more awake.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychology
Background:
- Insomnia disorder presents a disconnect between objective sleep measures and subjective experiences.
- Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep is a potential area where altered perception may occur.
- Understanding the physiological basis of subjective sleep complaints is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physiological parameters of REM sleep and mentation characteristics.
- To explore how brain activity during REM sleep relates to perceived wakefulness in individuals with and without insomnia.
Main Methods:
- 22 insomnia patients and 23 good sleepers underwent awakenings during REM sleep.
- Multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) assessed group differences and mentation effects.
- Examined number of arousals, REM density, and spectral power preceding awakenings.
Main Results:
- Higher perceived wakefulness was associated with reduced delta, theta, and alpha power in the minute before REM awakenings.
- No significant group differences were found in spectral power, arousal counts, or REM density.
- Mentation characteristics did not significantly affect arousal counts or REM density.
Conclusions:
- Spectral power in REM sleep is linked to altered sleep perception, particularly perceived wakefulness.
- Reduced delta, theta, and alpha power during REM sleep may indicate a modified sleep state associated with heightened wakefulness.
- Further research using awakening studies is needed to clarify the REM sleep-perception link.
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