Information processing in rapid eye movement sleep. Possible neurophysiological, neuropsychological, and clinical correlates

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Cerebral hemispheres exhibit specialization, processing information differently.
• Wakeful mentation is often dominated by the language-oriented left hemisphere.
• Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep may correlate with right-hemisphere activity, while non-REM sleep may correlate with left-hemisphere activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence supporting the role of the right hemisphere in processing information during REM sleep.
• To explore the neurophysiological, neuropsychological, and clinical underpinnings of right-hemisphere dominance during REM sleep.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental and clinical evidence.
• Analysis of neurophysiological data.
• Examination of neuropsychological findings.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests increased activation and efficiency of the right hemisphere during REM sleep.
• Functional isolation of the right hemisphere may occur during REM sleep.
• REM sleep processing may involve enhanced right-hemisphere contributions.

Conclusions:

• REM sleep processing is characterized by heightened right-hemisphere activity, efficiency, and potential functional isolation.
• This right-hemisphere engagement during REM sleep may facilitate novel solutions and adaptations.
• Findings support the hypothesis of right-hemisphere dominance in specific aspects of REM sleep cognition.