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

The Roles of N paradoxical sleep and REM Sleep On Memory Consolidation entirely mammals exhibit Rapid-Eye-Movement, or REM, short sleep, and yet on certain levels this fount of sleep would seem to be disadvantageous. During REM sleep, which is when most dreams follow, the brain uses much much energy than during non-REM ( nonrapid eye movement) sleep. (1) This waste of energy coupled with the increased vulnerability of this accede on account of the bodys paralysis at this time suggests that there essential be a precise 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 special functions of dreaming have been tied to is role in development, its production of neuro-proteins, and likewise to how it may allow for the rehearsal of neurons and neuronal pathways. The influence of dreaming on accomplish ment is one of the hottest debates. Some argue that dreams help in learning, others that dreams aid in forgetting, and yet others that dreams have no effect on learning or fund. That REM sleep seems to aid in development competency 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 necessary to clarify the identity of and differences between the two. This type of sleep is marked by distinct 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, article on pump for Sleep Researchs homep age, Interesting site for sleep disordershttp//www.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 about 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 course of instructionhttp//hcs.harvard.edu/husn/BRAIN/vol1/sleep.html8)UCSC Psych Website, http//psych.ucsc.edu/dreams/Articles/purpose.html