Neural Correlates of Dream Lucidity Obtained from Contrasting Lucid versus Non-Lucid REM Sleep: A Combined EEG/fMRI Case Study

Abstract

In line with recent EEG data, lucid dreaming was associated with a reactivation of areas which are normally deactivated during REM sleep. This pattern of activity can explain the recovery of reflective cognitive capabilities that are the hallmark of lucid dreaming.

Testing the involvement of the prefrontal cortex in lucid dreaming: A tDCS study

“…For example, Dresler et al (2012) found an increased activation during REM lucid dreams, not only in the prefrontal, but also in the occipitotemporal cortices, bilateral precuneus, cuneus and parietal lobes. These cerebral areas can also be targeted for stimulating lucid dreaming.…”

“…Another recent study, which has used fMRI to study cerebral regional activation in lucid dreams, replicated these findings and showed that, in lucid dreams, not only prefrontal but also occipito-temporal cortices, bilateral precuneus, cuneus and parietal lobes exhibit higher activation compared to what occurs during non-lucid dreams (Dresler et al, 2012). Based on this background, the hypothesis was formulated that activation of the frontolateral area of the brain during REM sleep should increase the probability of lucid dreaming.…”

“…In order to go beyond the correlational data regarding the neural correlates of dream lucidity as suggested by previous EEG and fMRI studies (Dresler et al, 2012;Voss et al, 2009), we aimed in this study to experimentally manipulate the activation of the prefrontal brain cortex and test the neurobiological basis of dream lucidity. Anodal tDCS was applied during REM sleep to activate the DLPFC and -by modulating cortical excitability -should have had an effect on subjective experience of dreaming by increasing the probability of lucid dreaming.…”

A Survey Focusing on Lucid Dreaming, Metacognition, and Dream Anxiety in Medical Students

“…To our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate the relationship between lucidity, metacognition and dream anxiety. Interestingly, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has been suggested to be a common brain region for metacognitive processes and LD in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies (1,32).…”

“…Dreaming is a state characterized by delusional thought, bizarre or peculiar dream pattern with gaps, deficiencies in judgment and metacognition, and complete lack of insight (1,2). Mota Rolim et al (2) reviewed the studies of Hobson et al (3) and Muzur et al (4) and reported that hypofrontality could reduce self-awareness and induce delusional thoughts and deficiencies in rational judgment, both in REM sleep and in episodes of psychosis.…”