Does the circadian modulation of dream recall modify with age?
Sleep September 1, 2009 Sarah Laxhmi Chellappa, Mirjam Münch, Katharina Blatter et al.
Dream recall declines with age, and this decline is linked to a weakened circadian rhythm of REM sleep. In a 40-hour nap protocol, 17 young (20–31 years) and 15 older (57–74 years) healthy volunteers reported fewer dreams after naps scheduled during the biological day, especially among older subjects. The number of dreams varied across the circadian cycle and between age groups, with older subjects recalling fewer dreams overall. No significant age differences appeared in the emotional content of dreams. The findings suggest that age-related changes in the circadian modulation of REM sleep contribute to reduced dream recall.