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)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 |
| Topics | Dreaming |
| Key findings | 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.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming: a State of Consciousness with Features of Both Waking and Non-Lucid Dreaming Student volunteers trained to become lucid and signal lucidity with horizontal eye... | 2009 | Observational study | n = 6 |
| Nightmare Prevalence, Nightmare Distress, and Self-Reported Psychological Disturbance Young adults with a mean age of 20 years | 2002 | Prospective observational study | n = 116 |
| Long-term effects of extreme situational stress on sleep and dreaming Survivors of traumatic events who complained of sleep disturbances, compared with... | 1987 | Case-control study | n = 11 |
| The relationship of nightmare frequency and nightmare distress to well‐being Adults who reported dreams | 2004 | Observational cohort | n = 147 |
| Dreaming in NREM Sleep: A High-Density EEG Study of Slow Waves and Spindles Healthy human subjects | 2018 | Observational cohort | n = 14 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams Nature and Science of Sleep 2018
- Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Traumatized Us Collectively? The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Sleep Factors via Traumatization: A Multinational Survey Nature and Science of Sleep August 1, 2022
- 'I love you': the first phrase detected from dreams. Sleep Science 2022
- Circadian and Sleep Modulation of Dreaming in Women with Major Depression. Clocks & Sleep February 28, 2022
- Mental Sleep Activity and Disturbing Dreams in the Lifespan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 29, 2019
and 10 more in the library
Cites 10
- Factors of home dream recall: a structural equation model Journal of Sleep Research May 12, 2003
- Dreaming During Non-rapid Eye Movement Sleep in the Absence of Prior Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Sleep December 1, 2004
- Age changes in dream recall in adulthood. Dreaming March 1, 1996
- Aging and Memory for Dreams Perceptual and Motor Skills October 1, 1991
- Dreams and dreaming among the elderly: An overview Aging & Mental Health February 1, 1999
and 5 more in the library