Electrophysiological Correlates of Dream Recall During REM Sleep: Evidence from Multiple Awakenings and Within-Subjects Design.
Nature and Science of Sleep January 1, 2020 Serena Scarpelli, Chiara Bartolacci, Aurora D'Atri et al.
Dream recall is associated with higher brain activation during REM sleep, regardless of the time of night. Theta, delta, and beta EEG bands were analyzed in 10 subjects who underwent multiple awakenings during REM sleep across the night. Results showed no significant effect of time of night or interaction, but significant differences in beta band activity over the occipital area and in the delta/beta activation index over the parietal area. These findings support the activation-hypothesis, which links dream recall to desynchronized EEG activity, and suggest that such recall is related to state-like factors rather than homeostatic pressure.