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Cited by 24Sleep and Wakefulness ResearchSleep and related disordersCircadian rhythm and melatonin

Does the Circadian Modulation of Dream Recall Modify with Age?

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Laxhmi, Chellappa Sarah, Münch, Mirjam, Blatter, Katharina, Knoblauch, Vera, Cajochen, Christian·2009·SLEEP
DOI 10.1093/sleep/32.9.1201PMC PMC2737578
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Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The ultradian NREM-REM sleep cycle and the circadian modulation of REM sleep sum to generate dreaming. Here we investigated age-related changes in dream recall, number of dreams, and emotional domain characteristics of dreaming during both NREM and REM sleep. DESIGN: Analysis of dream recall and sleep EEG (NREM/REM sleep) during a 40-h multiple nap protocol (150 min of wakefulness and 75 min of sleep) under constant routine conditions. SETTING: Centre for Chronobiology, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen young (20-31 years) and 15 older (57-74 years) healthy volunteers INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Dream recall and number of dreams varied significantly across the circadian cycle and between age groups, with older subjects exhibiting fewer dreams (P < 0.05), particularly after naps scheduled during the biological day, closely associated with the circadian rhythm of REM sleep. No significant age differences were observed for the emotional domain of dream content. CONCLUSIONS: Since aging was associated with attenuated amplitude in the circadian modulation of REM sleep, our data suggest that the age-related decrease in dream recall can result from an attenuated circadian modulation of REM sleep.

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Crossref · 10.1093/sleep/32.9.1201

Cites

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  • Chellappa et al. found that elderly people have more intense and anticipated emotional load in dream content compared to a younger group.

    “Chellappa et al32 found that elderly people have more intense and anticipated emotional load in dream content compared to a younger group.”

    From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [32]

    The paper observes that older participants appeared to have a higher emotional composite score earlier in the morning than younger participants (Is Dream Recall Modulated in a Circadian Manner?, p. 8), which supports an earlier timing of dream emotionality. It does not support greater emotional intensity overall: the Discussion (p. 6) reports no age-related difference in the emotional composite score. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Chellappa et al found an NREM pattern of higher delta activity in the frontal areas at sleep offset and higher centro-parietal sigma activity in recallers compared to nonrecallers.

    “They found an NREM pattern of higher delta activity in the frontal areas at sleep offset and higher centro-parietal sigma activity in recallers compared to nonrecallers.32”

    From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [32]

    The discussion (p. 8) mentions delta waves and sleep spindles only as a possible influence on NREM dreaming; it does not report EEG activity by brain region or compare recallers with nonrecallers. Searches for frontal delta activity, centro-parietal sigma activity, and recaller comparisons found no passage establishing the attributed pattern. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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  • Brain maturational markers such as alpha and theta rhythms have been found to be involved both in dream recall and episodic-declarative memory.

    “brain maturational markers such as alpha and theta rhythms94 have been found to be involved both in dream recall21,27,28,30–32,35 and episodic-declarative memory61,94,97”

    From Spotlight on dream recall: the ages of dreams (2018) · cites this paper as [32]

    The Results (p. 6) link dream recall to the circadian cycle and REM/NREM sleep, but do not identify alpha or theta rhythms. The discussion (p. 8) mentions sleep spindles and delta waves instead; searches for alpha, theta, and episodic-declarative memory found no passage establishing the attributed link. (LLM, conf=0.76)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [1]1. Schwartz S, Maquet P. Sleep imaging and the neuropsychological assessment of dreams. Trends Cogn Sci 2003;6:23-30.
  2. [22]22. Weber JM, Schwander JC, Unger I, Meier D. A direct ultrasensitive RIA for the melatonin in human saliva: comparison with serum levels. J Sleep Res 1997;26:75.

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Authors
Laxhmi, C. S., Münch, M., Blatter, K., Knoblauch, V., & Cajochen, C.
Affiliations
University of Basel (CH)
Corresponding author
Cajochen, Christian
ORCID
Venue
SLEEP
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2009-09
Volume
32
Issue
9
Pages
1201-1209
ISSN
  • 0161-8105 (ISSN-L)
  • 1550-9109
DOI
10.1093/sleep/32.9.1201
PMC
PMC2737578
OpenAlex
W2097572921
Cited by
24
References
37
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
FWCI
0.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • SLEEP (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
  • ORBi (University of Liège) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (055385)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
Keywords
dream recall, aging, circadian rhythm, REM sleep, NREM sleep, dream content, constant routine
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aging, Analysis of Variance, Circadian Rhythm, Dreams, Emotions, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mental Recall, Reference Values, Sleep, REM, Switzerland, Polysomnography, Young Adult

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