Dissociative symptoms and REM sleep

Behav Brain Sci. 2013 Dec;36(6):630-1; discussion 634-59. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X13001453.

Abstract

Llewellyn has written a fascinating article about rapid eye movement (REM) dreams and how they promote the elaborative encoding of recent memories. The main message of her article is that hyperassociative and fluid cognitive processes during REM dreaming facilitate consolidation. We consider one potential implication of this analysis: the possibility that excessive or out-of-phase REM sleep fuels dissociative symptomatology. Further research is warranted to explore the psychopathological ramifications of Llewellyn's theory.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Dreams / physiology*
  • Dreams / psychology*
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Memory, Episodic*
  • Sleep, REM / physiology*