Eye movements 'change scenes' during dreams - BBC News
For the first time, scientists have recorded from individual brain cells during the dreaming phase of sleep.
After each rapid eye movement (REM) they recorded bursts of activity that match what happens when we are awake and we see - or imagine - a new image.
They suggest that these well-known flickering movements accompany a "change of scene" in our dreams.
The recordings were made from patients with electrodes implanted in their brains to monitor seizures.
"The most fascinating question of all is why do we have to have REM sleep? Why does our brain have all this circuitry to do that?
"This paper doesn't answer that, but it does emphasise how similar being awake and in REM sleep are, for particular circuits in the brain."
For the first time, scientists have recorded from individual brain cells during the dreaming phase of sleep.
After each rapid eye movement (REM) they recorded bursts of activity that match what happens when we are awake and we see - or imagine - a new image.
They suggest that these well-known flickering movements accompany a "change of scene" in our dreams.
The recordings were made from patients with electrodes implanted in their brains to monitor seizures.
"The most fascinating question of all is why do we have to have REM sleep? Why does our brain have all this circuitry to do that?
"This paper doesn't answer that, but it does emphasise how similar being awake and in REM sleep are, for particular circuits in the brain."