First Article

Article ID:     drm14154    

Title:  Mental Processes and the Brain During Dreams    

Author(s):  Miranda Occhionero Department of Psychology, University

of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Source:     Dreaming. Vol. 14 (1) March 2004, pp. 54-64. Educational

Publishing Foundation   

ISSN:   10530797    

Digital Object ID:  10.1037/1053-0797.14.1.54   

Article Type:   Journal Article 

Abstract:   This article examines the different theoretical

approaches to dreaming and compares them with recent data from

brain-mapping studies. Two lines of investigation were considered: a

neurobiological and a cognitive approach. Both lines of investigation

can be usefully integrated into recent research using the techniques of

brain mapping. Two aspects of particular interest are discussed: (a) The

pattern of limbic and paralimbic activation in rapid eye movement (REM)

and non-REM could explain some differences of oneiric hallucination

during different stages of sleep, and (b) the deactivation of the

heteromodal cortex could explain the loss of reality testing and the

absence of self-consciousness during dreams. The complex nature of the

dreaming phenomenon makes it necessary to distinguish clearly between

mental representation and the underlying neurobiological changes.