Temporal coupling of rapid eye movements and cerebral activities during REM sleep

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated event-related potentials time locked to the onset and offset of rapid eye movements during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

Method: Nine healthy university students participated in this study. Data were collected in a sleep laboratory. Rapid eye movements during REM sleep were recorded during natural nocturnal sleep. Saccades during wakefulness were recorded during a visually triggered task. Event-related potentials were averaged, time-locked to the onset and offset of eye movements.

Results: During REM sleep, a lambda-like response occurred over the occipital region, time-locked to the offset of rapid eye movements (similar to what occurs during wakefulness). Moreover, we found that a positive potential (P200r) occurred at about 200ms, with the maximal amplitude over the central region and time-locked to the onset of rapid eye movements during REM sleep; this potential was not observed during wakefulness.

Conclusions: During REM sleep, the P200r occurs with the start of rapid eye movements, and then the lambda-like response occurs after termination of the movements.

Significance: We demonstrated temporal coupling of rapid eye movements and cerebral activities during REM sleep. These activities might provide a useful basis for future investigations of brain functions during REM sleep.