State- or trait-like individual differences in dream recall: preliminary findings from a within-subjects study of multiple nap REM sleep awakenings.
Serena Scarpelli, Cristina Marzano, Aurora D'Atri, Maurizio Gorgoni, Michele Ferrara, Luigi De Gennaro
Frontiers in Psychology 2015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00928 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Within-subjects experimental study with multiple naps Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Healthy subjects |
| Duration | Multiple naps separated by 1 week |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Keywords | Rem sleep Episodic memory Frontal cortex Theta oscillations |
| Key findings | Frontal theta oscillations (6.06 Hz) during REM sleep are higher before dream recall than before non-recall, supporting a state-like explanation of dream recall. |
Abstract
We examined the question whether the role of EEG oscillations in predicting presence/absence of dream recall (DR) is explained by "state-" or "trait-like" factors. Six healthy subjects were awakened from REM sleep in a within-subjects design with multiple naps, until a recall and a non-recall condition were obtained. Naps were scheduled in the early afternoon and were separated by 1 week. Topographical EEG data of the 5-min of REM sleep preceding each awakening were analyzed by power spectral analysis [Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)] and by a method to detect oscillatory activity [Better OSCillations (BOSC)]. Both analyses show that REC is associated to higher frontal theta activity (5-7 Hz) and theta oscillations (6.06 Hz) compared to NREC condition, but only the second comparison reached significance. Our pilot study provides support to the notion that sleep and wakefulness share similar EEG correlates of encoding in episodic memories, and supports the "state-like hypothesis": DR may depend on the physiological state related to the sleep stage from which the subject is awakened rather than on a stable individual EEG pattern.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming Verified by Volitional Communication during Rem Sleep Selected subjects proficient in lucid dreaming | 1981 | Experimental study | n = 5 |
| Incorporation of concern- and nonconcern-related verbal stimuli into dream content. Seven male subjects studied during sleep Stages 2 and REM | 1981 | Experimental study | n = 7 |
| Lucid Dreaming and Alpha Activity: A Preliminary Report Good dream recallers | 1982 | Experimental study | n = 10 |
| Lucid dreaming during NREM sleep: Two case reports | 2012 | Sleep laboratory study | |
| The Dream Catcher experiment: blinded analyses failed to detect markers of dreaming consciousness in EEG spectral power. Human participants during sleep | 2020 | Experimental study with blinded classification | n = 9 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- What about dreams? State of the art and open questions Journal of Sleep Research April 13, 2022
- Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams Nature and Science of Sleep 2018
- Investigation on Neurobiological Mechanisms of Dreaming in the New Decade Brain Sciences February 11, 2021
- Memory reactivations during sleep: a neural basis of dream experiences? March 6, 2023
- Fréquence et contenu du rapport de rêve : approches comportementales et neurophysiologiques HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) December 8, 2017
and 16 more in the library
Cites 12
- Amygdala and hippocampus volumetry and diffusivity in relation to dreaming Human Brain Mapping August 25, 2010
- EEG oscillations during sleep and dream recall: state- or trait-like individual differences? Frontiers in Psychology 2015
- Virtual reality and consciousness inference in dreaming. Frontiers in Psychology October 9, 2014
- Induction of self awareness in dreams through frontal low current stimulation of gamma activity. Nature Neuroscience June 2014
- Resting brain activity varies with dream recall frequency between subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology June 1, 2014
and 7 more in the library