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

TLDR

The study investigates the neural correlates of lucid dreaming. Parallel EEG/fMRI recordings were conducted in a sleep laboratory with four experienced lucid dreamers. One subject had two episodes of verified lucid REM sleep, and during lucid dreaming the bilateral precuneus, cuneus, parietal lobules, prefrontal and occipito‑temporal cortices were strongly activated compared with non‑lucid REM sleep, indicating reactivation of normally deactivated areas and explaining the recovery of reflective cognitive capabilities. No additional information provided.

Abstract

To investigate the neural correlates of lucid dreaming. Parallel EEG/fMRI recordings of night sleep. Sleep laboratory and fMRI facilities. Four experienced lucid dreamers. N/A. Out of 4 participants, one subject had 2 episodes of verified lucid REM sleep of sufficient length to be analyzed by fMRI. During lucid dreaming the bilateral precuneus, cuneus, parietal lobules, and prefrontal and occipito-temporal cortices activated strongly as compared with non-lucid REM sleep. 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.