Does the circadian modulation of dream recall modify with age?
Sarah Laxhmi Chellappa, Mirjam Münch, Katharina Blatter, Vera Knoblauch, Christian Cajochen
Sleep September 1, 2009 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/32.9.1201 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDream 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Healthy volunteers aged 20-31 and 57-74 years |
| Duration | 40-hour multiple nap protocol with 150 min of wakefulness and 75 min of sleep |
| Key finding | Older subjects exhibit fewer dream recalls than younger subjects, associated with an attenuated circadian modulation of REM sleep. |
Abstract
The ultradian NREM-REM sleep cycle and the circadian modulation of REM sleep sum to generate dreaming. Here we investigated age-related changes in dream recall, number of dreams, and emotional domain characteristics of dreaming during both NREM and REM sleep. Analysis of dream recall and sleep EEG (NREM/REM sleep) during a 40-h multiple nap protocol (150 min of wakefulness and 75 min of sleep) under constant routine conditions. Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. Seventeen young (20-31 years) and 15 older (57-74 years) healthy volunteers N/A. Dream recall and number of dreams varied significantly across the circadian cycle and between age groups, with older subjects exhibiting fewer dreams (P < 0.05), particularly after naps scheduled during the biological day, closely associated with the circadian rhythm of REM sleep. No significant age differences were observed for the emotional domain of dream content. Since aging was associated with attenuated amplitude in the circadian modulation of REM sleep, our data suggest that the age-related decrease in dream recall can result from an attenuated circadian modulation of REM sleep.