According to a new study published in the journal Science, the characteristic eye movements that give rapid eye movement (REM) sleep its name represent gaze shifts in the dream world of sleeping mice. The findings reveal an observable readout of the internal sense of direction in the dream state. They also provide valuable new insights into the cognitive processes of the sleeping brain.

REM sleep is often associated with dreaming. Therefore, some have proposed that the nature of REM eye movements may relate to the content of an ongoing dream. Others have suggested that the rapid eye movements instead reflect random brainstem activity. Testing these hypotheses remains a challenge. [1]

Figure 1. Rapid Eye Movements During REM Sleep

Figure 1 shows Rather than rely on the subjective and potentially inaccurate reporting of dreams by humans, as many previous studies have done, Yuta Senzai and Massimo Scanziani focused on the head direction (HD) system of the mouse as an objective readout. While awake, the activity of HD cells in the mouse’s thalamus encodes the direction of the animal’s head as it explores or navigates the environment. Changes in HD cell activity are often accompanied by fast saccade-like movements of the eyes in the same direction. [2]

REM sleep and dreams

During sleep, animals and humans alternate between phasesTrusted Source of REM sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep accounts for 20-25% of the total sleep period and is characterized by the rapid movement of the eyes from side to side.

REM sleep is associated with increased brain activity, and vivid dreams typically occur during REM sleep. [3]

New research shows that the characteristic eye movements of REM sleep represent gaze shifts in the dream world of sleeping mice.Rapid eye movements during REM sleep represent gaze shifts in dreaming mice.According to a new study published in the journal

Science, the characteristic eye movements that give rapid eye movement (REM) sleep its name represent gaze shifts in the dream world of sleeping mice. The findings reveal an observable readout of the internal sense of direction in the dream state. They also provide valuable new insights into the cognitive processes of the sleeping brain. [4]

References:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/rapid-eye-movements-during-rem-sleep-represent-gaze-shifts-in-the-dream-world/
2. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/962436
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/eye-movements-during-rem-sleep-may-reflect-gazing-in-dreams#REM-sleep-and-dreams
4. https://headtopics.com/us/rapid-eye-movements-during-rem-sleep-represent-gaze-shifts-in-the-dream-world-29684014

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Rapid Eye Movements During REM Sleep, AnaTechMaz, pp.112