Lucid dreams, an atypical sleep disturbance in anterior and mediodorsal thalamic strokes.
S Sagnier, P Coulon, C Chaufton, M Poli, S Debruxelles, P Renou, F Rouanet, S Olindo, I Sibon
Revue Neurologique October 20, 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2015.08.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Two young patients with ischemic stroke in the left pre-mammillary and paramedian thalamic artery territories |
| Topics | Lucid dreaming |
| Keywords | Cerebral arteries Humans Thalamic diseases Attention Cognition disorders Neuropsychological tests Adult Female Executive function Sleep wake disorders Thalamic stroke Sleep-wake disturbances Lucid dreams Cortico-thalamo-limbic network Infarctus thalamique Réseau cortico-thalamo-limbique Rêves lucides |
| Key findings | Two young patients with left pre-mammillary and paramedian thalamic strokes experienced lucid dreams with catastrophic or conflict-laden content, alongside aphasia, memory complaints, and impaired attention and executive function. The authors argue that lucid dreams are an atypical presentation of thalamic stroke and that these cases broaden the clinical spectrum of sleep-wake disturbances potentially observed after an acute cerebrovascular event. |
Abstract
Background: Cognitive, affective, and behavioural disturbances are commonly reported following thalamic strokes. Conversely, sleep disorders are rarely reported in this context. Observations: Herein, we report the cases of two young patients admitted for an ischemic stroke located in the territories of the left pre-mammillary and paramedian arteries. Together with aphasia, memory complaint, impaired attention and executive functions, they reported lucid dreams with catastrophic content or conflicting situations.
Conclusion: Lucid dreams are an atypical presentation in thalamic strokes. These cases enlarge the clinical spectrum of sleep-wake disturbances potentially observed after an acute cerebrovascular event.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on lucid dreaming, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Dreaming as a Learnable Skill: A Case Study The author | 1980 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Lucid Dreaming as a Treatment for Recurrent Nightmares People with recurrent nightmares | 2010 | Case study | n = 5 |
| Lucid dreaming: Correspondence between dreamed and actual events in one subject during rem sleep A lucid dreamer | 1984 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Lucid dreaming treatment for nightmares: A series of cases. Participants with nightmares | 2003 | Case series | n = 8 |
| Nightmares in the Context of PTSD Treated with Psychoeducation Regarding Lucid Dreaming 39-year-old male with a history of suicide attempts and psychiatric admissions | 2010 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The cognitive neuroscience of lucid dreaming Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews March 14, 2019
- Differentiating Oneiric Stupor in Agrypnia Excitata From Dreaming Disorders. Frontiers in Neurology November 12, 2020
- Spontaneous Thought, Insight, and Control in Lucid Dreams Oxford Handbooks Online April 5, 2018