Dream recall frequency and content in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Carla Bentes, João G. Costa, Ana Rita Peralta, Joana Pires, Paula Sousa, Teresa Paiva
Epilepsia October 17, 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2011.03290.x (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMore than 70% of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) recall their dreams, but their dream recall rate is lower than that of healthy controls. Dream recall is not influenced by neuropsychological deficits or seizure frequency. Compared to controls, TLE patients report dreams with a higher percentage of familiar settings and fewer dreams involving success. These findings suggest that mesial and neocortical temporal structures play a role in dream experience, and that selective activation of dysfunctional mesial structures may contribute to variability in dream recall. Dream content changes may also reflect social and psychological comorbidities of epilepsy.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 52 |
| Population | Patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy |
| Duration | Five consecutive days |
| Keywords | Dream Epilepsy Temporal lobe Audiology Recall |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Patients with TLE have lower dream recall rate and different dream content (more familiar settings, fewer successes) compared to healthy controls. |
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate morning dream recall frequency and content in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS: Fifty-two patients with pharmacoresistant TLE submitted to a written dream diary during five consecutive days and continuous video-electroencephalographic (video-EEG) monitoring. A matched control group of 41 healthy subjects completed the same diary at home. The number of recalled dreams (including long dreams) and nonrecalled dream mentation were collected, and the Dream Recall Rate (DRR) was calculated. Hall and Van de Castle dream content analysis was performed. KEY FINDINGS: Greater than 70% of patients with TLE (37 of 52) recall their dreams, but DRR rate in these patients is lower than in controls (p ≤ 0.001). Dream recall does not appear to be influenced by the presence of neuropsychological deficits nor seizure frequency. In dreams descriptions, TLE patients (vs. controls) have a higher percentage of familiarity in settings and fewer dreams with at least one success. SIGNIFICANCE: Onirical activity of patients with TLE is different from that of healthy subjects. Our results support the role of mesial and neocortical temporal structures in dream experience. The selective activation of dysfunctional mesial structures may be responsible for some of the observed variability. However, dream content changes can also mirror social and psychological comorbidities of patients with epilepsy.