The Roles of NREM and REM Sleep On Memory Consolidation Essay -- Resea

The Roles of N paradoxical sleep and REM Sleep On Memory Consolidation All mammals exhibit Rapid-Eye-Movement, or REM, sleep, and all the same on certain levels this type of sleep would seem to be disadvantageous. During REM sleep, which is when most dreams occur, the brain uses much more energy than during non-REM ( orthodox sleep) sleep. (1) This waste of energy twin with the increased vulnerability of this state on account of the bodys paralysis at this time suggests that there must be a very important reason, or reasons, for the existence of REM sleep and in extension of dreams. Determining the function of dreams, however, has proved very problematic with many arguments which directly oppose each other. some of the primary functions of dreaming have been tied to is role in development, its production of neuro-proteins, and also to how it may allow for the rehearsal of neurons and neuronal pathways. The influence of dreaming on learning is one of the hottest debates. Some a rgue that dreams aid in learning, others that dreams aid in forgetting, and yet others that dreams have no effect on learning or memory. That REM sleep seems to aid in development might argue that REM sleep may be connected to learning. It seems that most scientists believe that REM sleep aids in certain memory consolidations although some argue that it actually leads to reverse learning. Before discussing the role of NREM and REM in learning, it is infallible to clarify the identity of and differences between the two. This type of sleep is marked by different stages based on different the different brainwaves exhibited. REM sleep differs from NREM in that most dreams occur during REM sleep although the two activities are not synonymous. REM is also marked by an incre... ...ourcehttp//serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro03/web1/alippman.html3)The REM Sleep-Memory Consolidation Hypothesis, bind on Center for Sleep Researchs homepage, Interesting site for sleep disordershttp//w ww.nrip.ucla.edu/sleepresearch/science/1058full.html4)Nature website, good for scientific articleshttp//www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/news020218/020218-205)MIT News website, interesting articleshttp//web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2002/dreams.html6) TALK ABOUT SLEEP, Inc., basics answers more or less sleephttp//serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro03/web2/)%20http//www.talkaboutsleep.com/basics/Sleep_Understanding_NINDS.htm7)Harvard Undergraduate Society for Neuroscience, connected to Computer Science Programhttp//hcs.harvard.edu/husn/BRAIN/vol1/sleep.html8)UCSC Psych Website, http//psych.ucsc.edu/dreams/Articles/purpose.html