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REM sleep and dreaming functions beyond reductionism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2013

Roumen Kirov
Roumen Kirov*
Affiliation:
Institute of Neurobiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, BG-1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. ru@bio.bas.bg roumen_kirov@yahoo.com http://www.bio.bas.bg/neurobiology/EN/index.htm
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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.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 36 , Issue 6 , December 2013 , pp. 621 - 622
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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