The Neural Correlates of Dreaming Have Not Been Identified Yet. Commentary on “The Neural Correlates of Dreaming. Nat Neurosci. 2017”

Ruby, Perrine

doi:10.3389/fnins.2020.585470

Cited by 16 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Multiple awakenings and within-subject studies can assess both state- and trait-like variables and their interactions with homeostatic pressure and chronobiological variables (e.g., ultradian oscillation, a switch-like circadian oscillation, or 28-day cicatrigintan rhythm for women, [ 119 ]). However, the use of the serial awakening method to investigate the EEG correlates of dreaming has been criticized (e.g., [ 121 ]) since this paradigm has not always produced consistent results [ 68 ]. We believe that complementary studies with a focus on undisturbed sleep and neuroimaging studies can help put the pieces of this complex puzzle together.…”

Section: Manipulating Dream Experiencementioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on Neurobiological Mechanisms of Dreaming in the New Decade

et al. 2021

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Dream research has advanced significantly over the last twenty years, thanks to the new applications of neuroimaging and electrophysiological techniques. Many findings pointed out that mental activity during sleep and wakefulness shared similar neural bases. On the other side, recent studies have highlighted that dream experience is promoted by significant brain activation, characterized by reduced low frequencies and increased rapid frequencies. Additionally, several studies confirmed that the posterior parietal area and prefrontal cortex are responsible for dream experience. Further, early results revealed that dreaming might be manipulated by sensory stimulations that would provoke the incorporation of specific cues into the dream scenario. Recently, transcranial stimulation techniques have been applied to modulate the level of consciousness during sleep, supporting previous findings and adding new information about neural correlates of dream recall. Overall, although multiple studies suggest that both the continuity and activation hypotheses provide a growing understanding of neural processes underlying dreaming, several issues are still unsolved. The impact of state-/trait-like variables, the influence of circadian and homeostatic factors, and the examination of parasomnia-like events to access dream contents are all opened issues deserving further deepening in future research.

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Section: Manipulating Dream Experiencementioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on Neurobiological Mechanisms of Dreaming in the New Decade

et al. 2021

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“…. no reliable (neuro) physiological correlates of dreaming have been identified yet which means that one cannot know whether a sleeper is dreaming or not while she/he is sleeping" and that: "Our only access to dreaming is still dream reports, which are made a posteriori, during wake and which are possibly partial and/or modified by the waking consciousness" [72].…”

Section: The Theoretical Model Integrating the Most Convincing Explanations Of The Phenomenon Of Consciousnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural Circuits, Microtubule Processing, Brain’s Electromagnetic Field—Components of Self-Awareness

2021

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The known theories discussing the essence of consciousness have been recently updated. This prompts an attempt to integrate these explanations concerning several distinct components of the consciousness phenomenon such as the ego, and qualia perceptions. Therefore, it is useful to consider the latest publications on the ‘Orch OR’ and ‘cemi’ theories, which assume that quantum processing occurs in microtubules and that the brain’s endogenous electromagnetic field is important. The authors combine these explanations with their own theory describing the neural circuits realizing imagery. They try to present such an interdisciplinary, integrated theoretical model in a manner intuitively understandable to people with a typical medical education. In order to do this, they even refer to intuitively understandable metaphors. The authors maintain that an effective comprehension of consciousness is important for health care professionals because its disorders are frequent medical symptoms in emergencies, during general anesthesia and in the course of cognitive disorders in elderly people. The authors emphasize the current possibilities to verify these theses regarding the essence of consciousness thanks to the development of functional brain imaging methods—magnetoencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation—as well as clinical studies on the modification of perceptions and feelings by such techniques as mindfulness and the use of certain psychoactive substances, especially among people with self-awareness and identity disorders.

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“…The definition of dreaming is still under debate ( Pagel et al, 2001 ) but it is admitted that dreaming can be considered as a cognitive activity involving “mental imagery that consists of sensory hallucinations, emotions, story-like or dramatic progressions, and bizarreness” during sleep ( Nielsen, 2000 ). Up to now, the brain mechanism at work during dreaming remains poorly understood due to methodological, technological and theoretical locks ( Ruby, 2020 ). Indeed, except in specific situations, most often non-physiological [rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep behavior disorders, lucid dreaming], only dream reports can be studied and not the dream experience itself ( Guenole and Nicolas, 2010 ).…”

Section: Neurophysiology Of Dreamingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The cognitive processes at work during dreaming currently remain imperfectly understood. According to the phenomenology of dream reports, they comprise at least sensory and associative processes, short and long term memory processes, executive and emotional processes, mind-reading, and consciousness: in other words nearly all the cognitive processes used during wakefulness ( Nir and Tononi, 2010 ; Kahan and Laberge, 2011 ; Ruby, 2011 , 2020 ; Windt et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Epilepsy and Dreaming: Current Knowledge, Hypotheses, and Perspectives

et al. 2021

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The interactions between epilepsy and sleep are numerous and the impact of epilepsy on cognition is well documented. Epilepsy is therefore likely to influence dreaming as one sleep-related cognitive activity. The frequency of dream recall is indeed decreased in patients with epilepsy, especially in those with primary generalized seizures. The content of dreams is also disturbed in epilepsy patients, being more negative and with more familiar settings. While several confounding factors (anti-seizure medications, depression and anxiety disorders, cognitive impairment) may partly account for these changes, some observations suggest an effect of seizures themselves on dreams. Indeed, the incorporation of seizure symptoms in dream content has been described, concomitant or not with a focal epileptic discharge during sleep, suggesting that epilepsy might directly or indirectly interfere with dreaming. These observations, together with current knowledge on dream neurophysiology and the links between epilepsy and sleep, suggest that epilepsy may impact not only wake- but also sleep-related cognition.

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The Neural Correlates of Dreaming Have Not Been Identified Yet. Commentary on “The Neural Correlates of Dreaming. Nat Neurosci. 2017”

Cited by 16 publications

References 31 publications

Investigation on Neurobiological Mechanisms of Dreaming in the New Decade

Investigation on Neurobiological Mechanisms of Dreaming in the New Decade

Neural Circuits, Microtubule Processing, Brain’s Electromagnetic Field—Components of Self-Awareness

Relationship Between Epilepsy and Dreaming: Current Knowledge, Hypotheses, and Perspectives

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