Abstract
Our general conclusion is that the main function of REM sleep is the restoration of search activity in the subsequent wakefulness. In wakefulness search activity in a normal state is relevant to the reality, goal directed and task oriented and sustained by the interrelationships between brain activating and activity modulating brain monoamines. Renunciation of search in wakefulness is accompanied by the decreased activity of most brain monoamine systems, particularly of brain norepinephrine. In the functionally sufficient REM search, activity is based on the nonmodulated brain dopamine activity (that makes search activity in dreams extremely flexible and available for restoration). At the same time REM sleep provides the condition for the resensitization of the norepinephrine postsynaptic receptors that is important for the continuation of search activity in the subsequent wakefulness. The present model helps to explain many controversial data in REM sleep-brain monoamines relationships.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Sleep and Sleep Disorders |
| Subtitle of host publication | A Neuropsychopharmacological Approach |
| Publisher | Springer US |
| Pages | 27-35 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780387276823 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0387276815, 9780387276816 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2006 |
| Externally published | Yes |