Cortical activation patterns herald successful dream recall after NREM and REM sleep

Dreaming pertains to both REM and NREM sleep. However, frequency and regional specific differences in EEG activity remains controversial. We investigated NREM and REM sleep EEG power density associated with and without dream recall in 17 young subjects during a 40-h multiple nap protocol under constant routine conditions. NREM sleep was associated with lower EEG power density for dream recall in the delta range, particularly in frontal derivations, and in the spindle range in centro-parietal derivations. REM sleep was associated with low frontal alpha activity and with high alpha and beta activity in occipital derivations. Our data indicate that specific EEG frequency- and topography changes underlie differences between dream recall and no recall after both NREM and REM sleep awakening. This dual NREM-REM sleep modulation holds strong implications for the mechanistic understanding of this complex ongoing cognitive process.

► Dreaming occurs in continuum during both REM and NREM sleep.
► Frequency and topography specific EEG activity can successfully predict dream recall.
► NREM dreams rely on attenuated NREM sleep oscillations, like delta and spindle activity.
► REM dreams depend on higher EEG frequencies, such as alpha and beta activity.
► Dreaming relies heavily on frontal deactivation and occipital activation.