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Gao JX, Yan G, Li XX, Xie JF, Spruyt K, Shao YF, Hou YP. The Ponto-Geniculo-Occipital (PGO) Waves in Dreaming: An Overview. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1350. [PMID: 37759951 PMCID: PMC10526299 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is the main sleep correlate of dreaming. Ponto-geniculo-occipital (PGO) waves are a signature of REM sleep. They represent the physiological mechanism of REM sleep that specifically limits the processing of external information. PGO waves look just like a message sent from the pons to the lateral geniculate nucleus of the visual thalamus, the occipital cortex, and other areas of the brain. The dedicated visual pathway of PGO waves can be interpreted by the brain as visual information, leading to the visual hallucinosis of dreams. PGO waves are considered to be both a reflection of REM sleep brain activity and causal to dreams due to their stimulation of the cortex. In this review, we summarize the role of PGO waves in potential neural circuits of two major theories, i.e., (1) dreams are generated by the activation of neural activity in the brainstem; (2) PGO waves signaling to the cortex. In addition, the potential physiological functions during REM sleep dreams, such as memory consolidation, unlearning, and brain development and plasticity and mood regulation, are discussed. It is hoped that our review will support and encourage research into the phenomenon of human PGO waves and their possible functions in dreaming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.-X.G.); (G.Y.); (X.-X.L.); (J.-F.X.)
| | - Guizhong Yan
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.-X.G.); (G.Y.); (X.-X.L.); (J.-F.X.)
| | - Xin-Xuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.-X.G.); (G.Y.); (X.-X.L.); (J.-F.X.)
| | - Jun-Fan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.-X.G.); (G.Y.); (X.-X.L.); (J.-F.X.)
| | - Karen Spruyt
- NeuroDiderot-INSERM, Université de Paris, 75019 Paris, France;
| | - Yu-Feng Shao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.-X.G.); (G.Y.); (X.-X.L.); (J.-F.X.)
| | - Yi-Ping Hou
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; (J.-X.G.); (G.Y.); (X.-X.L.); (J.-F.X.)
- Sleep Medicine Center of Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Ralls F, Cutchen L, Grigg-Damberger MM. What Is the Prognostic Significance of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Without Atonia in a Polysomnogram? J Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 39:346-355. [PMID: 35239559 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Freud said we are lucky to be paralyzed during sleep, so we cannot act out our dreams. Atonia of skeletal muscles normally present during rapid eye movement sleep prevents us from acting out our dreams. Observing rapid eye movement sleep without atonia in a polysomnogram in older adults first and foremost warrants consideration of rapid eye movement behavior disorder. Seventy-five to 90% of older adults with isolated rapid eye movement behavior disorder will develop a neurodegenerative disease within 15 years, most often a synucleinopathy. Rapid eye movement sleep without atonia in those younger than 50 years is commonly found in individuals with narcolepsy and those taking antidepressant medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Ralls
- New Mexico Sleep Labs, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, U.S.A
| | - Lisa Cutchen
- Omni Sleep, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.A.; and
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