Knowra Rapid eye movement sleep Rapid eye movement sleep Rapid eye movement sleep is a recurring sleep stage marked by rapid eye movements, vivid dreams, wake-like brain activity, and temporary paralysis of most skeletal muscles.
REM atonia : The temporary inhibition of most skeletal muscles during rapid eye movement sleep. Brainstem pathways suppress motor output, preventing most dream actions from reaching the body.
Sleep : A recurring, reversible state of reduced responsiveness and altered brain activity. REM is one stage within the broader sleep state.
Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder : A parasomnia in which the usual muscle paralysis of REM sleep is reduced, allowing dream enactment. It exposes the protective role of REM atonia when that mechanism fails.
Wakefulness : A state of consciousness characterized by responsiveness to the environment and sustained alertness. REM resembles wakefulness in brain activation while lacking ordinary responsiveness and muscle control.
Ponto-geniculo-occipital wave : A phasic brain-wave event associated with rapid eye movement sleep, generated through pontine and visual-system pathways. These bursts accompany eye movements and help characterize REM brain activity.
Non-rapid eye movement sleep : The sleep stages other than REM, characterized by slower eye movements or none and distinct brain rhythms. It alternates with REM and differs in muscle tone, brain activity, and dream reports.
Narcolepsy : A chronic neurological disorder that disrupts sleep-wake regulation and can cause excessive daytime sleepiness. REM-related phenomena, including sleep paralysis and hallucinations, can intrude into wakefulness.
Slow-wave sleep : Deep non-REM sleep dominated by slow, high-amplitude brain waves. Its synchronized slow EEG contrasts with REM's wake-like, mixed-frequency activity.
Subcoeruleus nucleus : A brainstem region involved in generating REM sleep and its muscle atonia. Its circuits help coordinate the REM state and inhibit spinal motor neurons.
Sleep cycle : A recurring sequence of sleep stages across a night, including non-REM and REM sleep. REM recurs in cycles, with episodes generally lengthening toward morning.
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