Reward improves visual perceptual learning, but only after people sleep
Reward does not improve visual perception learning unless it is followed by a good night's sleep.... Read More...
REM sleep
How to tell if a brain is awake
Study finds EEG features may not always be accurate in being able to capture the level of consciousness in patients under anesthesia.... Read More...
Neurons responsible for rapid eye movements/REM during sleep identified
Nucleus papilion neurons play an important role in eye movement during REM sleep.... Read More...
Rare sleep disorder common among veterans with PTSD
21% of veterans who experience PTSD or traumatic brain injury suffer from a rare sleep condition that affects less than 1% of the general population. The condition, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), is characterized by an impairment of sleep-related muscle paralysis, causing people to act out dreams during REM sleep. The uncontrolled actions often cause harm to the sufferer of their partners. ... Read More...
The brain may actively forget during dream sleep
REM sleep has previously been linked to memory formation. A new study reveals this sleep period may also be critical for us to forget certain memories, preventing information overload. Researchers identified a mechanism involving MCH neurons which causes us to forget information during sleep.... Read More...
After 10-year search, scientists find second ‘short sleep’ gene
Researchers have identified a second gene that contributes to natural short sleep. Using optogenetics, researchers triggered neurons in the pons that express the ADRB1 gene, rousing mice from sleep. Wakefulness-promoting neurons in the pons with a mutated version of ADRB1 were more easily activated.... Read More...
REM sleep silences the siren of the brain
Restless REM sleep disrupts the adjustment of memory traces during sleep. This may increase negative emotions associated with mental health disorders.... Read More...
One in 10 people have ‘near-death’ experiences
Near-death experiences (NDEs) including hallucinations, out-of-body sensations and time distortions, affect around 10% of people, a new study reports. 72% of people overall who experienced NDEs say their experience was unpleasant. Researchers found an association between NDEs and REM sleep intrusion into wakefulness, resulting in sleep paralysis and hallucinations. ... Read More...
How to train your brain to have lucid dreams
A sleep researcher shares the secrets for training your brain to experience lucid dreams.... Read More...
Brain marker for angry dreams
People with greater frontal alpha asymmetry are less able to regulate strong, emotional, affective states, such as anger, in their dreams.... Read More...
Stress and Dream Sleep Linked to Pathways of Neuron Death and Survival
According to a new study, the consequence of daily stress is linked to an increase in REM sleep. Researchers report the increase is associated with genes involved in apoptosis and cell survival. The findings shed light on how stress leads to mood disorders, and how changes in sleep contribute to this.... Read More...
Kicking and Yelling During Sleep? Risk Factors for Violent Sleep Disorder Identified
Researchers have identified key risk factors for a violent sleep disorder known as REM sleep behavior disorder. According to the study, taking antidepressants, having PTSD and anxiety disorders increases the risk for violent episodes during sleep.... Read More...