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REM sleep and dreaming functions beyond reductionism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2013

Roumen Kirov*
Affiliation:
Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BG-1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. [email protected][email protected]://www.bio.bas.bg/neurobiology/EN/index.htm

Abstract

Brain activation patterns and mental, electrophysiological, and neurobiological features of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep suggest more functions than only elaborative encoding. Hence, the periodic occurrence of REM sleep episodes and dreaming may be regarded as a recurrent adaptive interference, which incorporates recent memories into a broader vital context comprising emotions, basic needs and individual genetic traits.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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